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CHAPTER 1. EXPANSION OF EDUCATIONALOPPORTUNITIES
3 Compulsory Education
(3) Education for Mentally and/or Physically Handicapped Children


Special education for the handicapped in Japan has made remarkable progress through the expansion of special schools and classes. Consequently, enrollment in these institutions has been increasing every year, and has tripled in the last ten years. Emphasis has been placed on special schools and classes for the mentally and physically handicapped other than the blind and deaf, resulting in the recent marked increase in enrollment in these institutions.

In 1969, 3.69% of the compulsory school age population needed special education but only an estimated 30% of these were actually enrolled either in special schools or in special classes. The majority of handicapped pupils is not enrolled either in special schools or in special classes and receives the same education as ordinary pupils in ordinary classes. For these pupils, adequate educational consideration should be given based on the severity of the handicap.

Figure 6. Trends in the Number of Compulsory School Age Children Enrolled in Special Schools or Classes, 1959 - 1969


Note: Actual numbers are given in Basic Table 6. Basic Table 6

Table 4. Estimated Number of Pupils in Need of Special Education and Enrollment Percents, 1969


Note: (l) "Approximation of pupils in need of special education" was obtained by the survey' on the mentally and physically handicapped pupils conducted in 1967.

(2) Population of the corresponding age group was 14.325.000.

(3) "Number enrolled" includes pupils enrolled in elementary and lower secondary departments of special schools and pupils enrolled in special classes in ordinary elementary and lower secondary schools.

In addition to the above there were approximately 20,000 more severely handicapped children whose school attendance was extended or excused. It is also necessary to take appropriate measures for such children.

Since 1967, a new examination system has been in practice to allow graduation certificates from lower secondary schools to be awarded to those children whose school attendance was extended or excused for physical reasons, etc. To date 176children have taken this examination. The Ministry of Education is also proceeding to establish a National Research Institute for Special Education (as it is tentatively called) to conduct fundamental scientific research promoting special education. The plans call for comprehensive and practical coordination of related sciences such as medicine, psychology, education and engineering and the provision of training services and research report clearing house functions. In this way a more appropriate education will be given to each child according to his individual handicap.


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