(4)A Guide for the "New Education"

A teachers' manual titled A Guide for the "New Education" was issued by the Ministry of Education in May, 1946. Actually the plan for this Guide was begun in the fall of 1945 by the Ministry of Education. The Guide was carefully edited and rewritten several times under the supervision of GHQ. The finished product was noteworthy not only for the thoughtful guidance it provided to educators but also for the style in which it was written; the ideas were dearly set forth and easily understandable, and, in keeping with the need for a reform of the Japanese language, the text was composed entirely of characters in common use.

The contents of the handbook were separated into two sections. Part 1 was further divided into theoretical and practical problems. The first six chapters dealt with basic problems involved in the construction of a new Japan: l) an overview of the Japanese situation; 2) the elimination of militarism and ultranationalism; 3) the promotion of respect for humanity, personality, and individuality; 4) the improvement of scientific standards and of philosophical and religious education; 5) the need for democracy to permeate all phases of society; and 6) the role of educators in the construction of a peaceful and civilized nation. The second half of Part 1 was devoted to a discussion of more practical aspects of the "new education": 1) education based upon the respect for individuality; 2) the promotion of civil education; 3) the improvement of women's education; 4) the spread of scientific culture; 5) the improvement of physical education; 6) the enrichment of the aesthetic aspects of culture; and 7) the reform of vocational education. Each of the chapters in Part 1 concluded with a section, entitled "Themes for Further Discussion," containing materials intended to stimulate study and discussion among the teachers.

Part 2 of the Guide dealt with methods to be employed in the "new education," including 1) the aims of Part 2; 2) the selection of teaching materials; 3) suggestions on how best to deal with the teaching materials; and 4) methods for discussion. Throughout the entire Guide strong emphasis was placed on the development of the individual personality and the cultivation of a respect for humanity. The dissemination of the Guide among Japanese teachers made possible a real advancement toward the implementation of the new educational system which was introduced in 1947.

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