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PART Recent Trends and Developments in Government Policies in Education, Science and Culture

One of the most important areas for improving educational conditions of schools is to optimize the size of the class which is basic for children's learning activities and school life. Also important is securing an adequate number of teachers and other school personnel for the successful management of educational programs.

Regarding the class size and staffing ratios for local public compulsory schools, through systematic planning, specific improvements have been introduced four times since 1959. On the basis of these improvements in the past, the Ministry was committed to the successful implementation of the fifth plan which aimed at the reduction of the maximum class size to 40 pupils. The reason for decreasing class size is to develop a school environment where educational programs are relevant to individual personalities and abilities. The Ministry undertook the fifth plan in 1980 with a view to completing it in 12 years. In 1991, the Ministry's class size goal was attained as initially planned. For public upper secondary schools, the fourth plan similar to the above was also accomplished as planned.

Regarding physical facilities for public schools. it is necessary not only to promote the quantitative expansion of these facilities but also to ensure further qualitative improvement, with a view to developing an educational environment which will facilitate the development of well rounded children and to contributing to diversified and flexible teaching methods and content.

Keeping these issues in mind, in 1991 the Ministry tried to improve the subsidy system for upgrading the physical facilities or elementary and lower secondary schools. Included in this was the extension of the subsidy system for acquiring school land in order to eliminate schools with excessively many classes. The subsidies are also intended for reconstructing or remodeling superannuated school buildings, which need immediate attention.

In 1991 the Ministry started undertaking studies for the revision of the existing "Guidelines for Designing School Facilities".

It is important to develop teaching materials for the enrichment of independent learning activities by children as well as for guiding them in practical and experiential learning. Since 1985, the costs of the development of teaching materials have been covered under the system of the "Local Allocation Tax". "The Standards of Teaching Materials" set the general criteria for the preparation of teaching materials by respective schools. However, in March 1991, the Ministry presented "The Standard Lists of Teaching Materials" which gives the names of teaching materials with their respective quantity which are required in the implementation of the curriculum set forth in the revised Course of Study. From now on, each school is requested to prepare its teaching materials, in accordance with the Standard Lists.