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PART Recent Trends and Developments in Government Policies in Education, Science and Culture

Textbooks, as a primary source of information, play a vital role in the advancement of children's education.

In April 1989 the Ministry drastically changed the existing textbook authorization system, upon the basis of the report or the National Council on Educational Reform, greatly simplifying and prioritizing the procedures and standards for authorization. As of 1990, this new system was put into effect (progressively for different trade levels) for authorizing textbooks prepared in accordance with the revised Course of Study. In 1991 a textbook authorization was conducted for lower secondary schools. Furthermore since 1991, the original textbooks which were submitted for authorization in the previous year were exhibited to the public after a final inspection and approval.

The Consultative Committee on the Textbook Adoption System, taking into account the recommendations of the National Council on Educational Reform, published a report on "the Adoption of Textbooks" in March 1990. It presented a number of proposals in three areas for improving the textbook adoption system. The three areas were: 1)enhancing textbook research by professional researchers; 2)ensuring justice and equity in the adoption of textbooks; and 3)making textbook adoption more open. Based on this report, the Ministry has amended the relevant regulations in order to extend the interval of textbook adoption. Furthermore, prefectural boards of education are carrying out related investigations and improvements on textbook adoption.

In a continuing effort by the Government since 1963, children attending compulsory level schools have been provided with free textbooks for all school subjects.