Mitigating School Burdens -Securing enough time for teachers to have one-on-one time with students-

Overburden of teachers

With the changing situation surrounding today's children coupled with the increasingly diversified and advanced demands of parents and society, the knowledge and work required of teachers is also becoming diversified. The ever-increasing mental and physical overburden of teachers, on the other hand, has become a major dilemma.

Based on the MEXT survey on the situation of teachers nationwide conducted in 2006, the average hours of monthly overtime reported by teachers excluding any work brought home has increased from 8 hours in 1966 to 42 hours in 2006, out of which the highest increase was found in the number of hours spent on administrative work and student guidance. The survey revealed, furthermore, that although teachers find their work to be rewarding, 77.6 percent of elementary school teachers feel that there is either "very" or "relatively" not enough time for sufficient class preparation, along with 72 percent for secondary school teachers, showing the extreme burden teachers are experiencing in their profession.

Measures taken by Education Boards

MEXT conducted a nationwide survey in FY2011 on the measures taken by prefectural and municipal education boards to mitigate school burdens. According to the survey results, many education boards have implemented measures to reduce school burdens as per chart below. The survey also clarified that the number of education boards taking such measures has increased compared to the previous survey carried out in October 2010.
The detailed measures taken by each education board have been compiled and may be referenced via following link：http://www.mext.go.jp/a_menu/shotou/uneishien/detail/1306775.htm

MEXT also aims to promote and realize high quality education and to secure enough time for teachers to have one-on-one time with students through:

1. Reducing school’s administrative tasks by revising the MEXT school survey (2006: 36 items -> 2012: 28 items) and so on.
2. Spreading excellent initiatives to mitigate school burdens through promoting the utilization of ICT (information communication technologies) by education boards nationwide, along with the joint implementation of administrative tasks.
3. Promoting a small number of students per class by improving the fixed number of teachers, and corresponding to students in need of assistance.
4. Assisting school activities carried out by community volunteers such as the School Assistance Regional Headquarter Projects.

Ratio of Education Boards implementing measures in FY2011