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CHAPTER SUPPLY OF TEACHERS ANDPROVISION OF SCHOOL FACILITIES

The average number of pupils per full-time teacher has decreased year by year in the elementary schools, reaching a level of 29 in 1964. In lower secondary schools too, the number of pupils per teacher has decreased, reaching 27 in 1964. In upper secondary schools including part-time schools, however, the number of pupils per teacher is increasing, due to the recent rise in the percentage of admission to a school of higher level as well as to the increase of school age population.

The number of students per teacher in universities and colleges also tends to increase because of similar reasons.

The number of pupils per teacher in elementary schools in the major countries has been almost unchanged or increasing a bit for the last few years, which presents an interesting contrast to the decreasing situation in Japan. This seems to result from the expansion of school age population and the decrease in applicants for the teaching profession.

In secondary schools, the number of pupils per teacher in Japan is more than in other major countries, and especially in the U.S.A. and France where a few years ago, the number was nearly the same as that in our country but has decreased more rapidly in recent years.

The number of students per teacher in Japanese universities is larger than that in any other country and is increasing. It must also be noted that in our country both the secondary and higher education spread faster than in other main countries except the U.S.A.

Figure 11. Pupil-teacher Ratios at Different Levels of School, 1949-1964

Table 37. Number of Pupils Per Teacher in Major Countries