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CHAPTER 2. IMPROVEMENT OF EDUCATIONAL CONTENT AND METHOD
1 Maintenance, Improvement and Diversification of Educational Content
(5) Extra-Curricular Activities


Extra-curricular activities in Japan aim at the harmonious development of mind and body through desirable group activities and at the development of personality and practical attitudes for improving life. The activities are somewhat different from one school level to another, but the most common are "student government". "home-room activities" "club activities", "class-room guidance" and "school events". These activities play an important role in deepening human relationships between teachers and pupils and among pupils.

In the new course of study, all pupils in lower secondary schools are required to participate in "club activities". The number of hours to be allocated weekly to this kind of activity has been increased to 50, 15 hours over the existing course of study. "home-room activities" and "club-activities" in the upper secondary schools will also be required for all students. The number of hours to be allocated to these activities is prescribed as not less than one credit hour per week for both "home-room activities" and "club-activities".

Next. extra-curricular activities in the various major countries will be studied. Although these activities arc conducted in different forms in different countries, most countries commonly consider extra-curricular activities important as opportunities for human development, and are making efforts to improve facilities and to train leaders for this purpose.

In the U.S.A., extra-curricular activities are usually provided as an integral part of school programs as in Japan. On the other hand, in European countries, these activities have traditionally been provided as a part of community activities, utilizing equipment and facilities outside of school.

The main activities in the U.S.A. are "home-room activities", "student government activities" and "club-activities". "Club activities" in particular are very actively conducted. There are many "club activities" which involve all schools in the nation. In some schools, "club activities" are incorporated into the regular time-table. For example, credits are provided for some activities such as the school newspaper.

Group sports which have traditionally been performed in public schools (maintained privately) are one of the special features in England and Wales. These group sports are now being given an increasing emphasis in other schools. In addition, various other kinds of sports and cultural activities are conducted as extra-curricular activities.

Schools in France have so far placed emphasis upon the intellectual training of students. In recent years, however, the importance of extra-curricular activities has increasingly been recognized. It is to be noted that teachers who are professionally qualified are responsible for these activities and that activities are conducted which involve the whole community.

In the Federal Republic of Germany, the pupils' consciousness of solidarity is developed through student government activities and classroom activities. Not only facilities for sports and physical education, but also Landerziehungsheimen are setup throughout the country.

Extra-curricular activities in the U.S.S.R. fall into club activities, school events, and out-of school educational activities which utilize educational and cultural facilities outside of school. These activities play an important role in school education. In contrast to these activities, boys' group activities such as the "pioneers" also play important roles. The "pioneers" who aim at developing communistic men through group living are formed by pupils in grades III to Vlll. A very high proportion of pupils are members of the pioneers. Its activity level is high and it plays an important role in human education.


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