c. Vocational Schools

The problem of how to systematize and manage vocational schools as an organ of middle level education was not dealt with in detail in the Education System Order nor included the 1879 Education Order any provisions concerning vocational schools. In the 1880 Education Order, several vocational educational institutions were noted as agricultural schools, commerical schools, and technical schools, but nothing was indicated concerning the characteristics of these schools. Rather it was simply stated that "an agricultural school is where learning related to agriculture is taught," "a commercial school is where learning related to commerce is taught," and "a technical school is where skills pertaining to the myriad crafts are taught." It was not even made clear whether this was middle level education or not.

However, in April, 1883, General Regulations for Agricultural Schools (Nogakko Tsusoku) were issued followed by General Regulations for Commercial Schools (Shogyogakko Tsusoku) in January, 1884, spelling out in detail the character of the agricultural and commercial schools mentioned in the 1880 Education Order. Thus it can be seen that the first step to the systematization of vocational education was taken following the 1880 Education Order. These General Regulations provided for a first category and a second category of both the agricultural and the commercial schools. The first category was open to graduates of the intermediate course of elementary schools and lasted for two years whereas the second category was open to those students who completed the primary course of middle schools and ran for three years. While these Regulations were a first step promoting vocational schools, the actual schools set up during this period were rather inadequate. It was not until the nineties when Japanese industry began to make significant strides that vocational schools came into their own.