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

Today, as a result of changes in society, including an increase in leisure time and developments in science and technology, the learning demands of the public have become more diversified and sophisticated. In the context of urbanization, increase in nuclear families and other social changes, children today are lacking in opportunities to enjoy nature families and local communities are having problems in cultivating children's basic daily life skills.

The Ministry decided to start implementing the five-day school week as of the second school term of 1992 and is making efforts to ensure its smooth and widespread implementation

Under these circumstances, the Ministry plans to develop its policies and measures in the fields of "social education" (education for adults and out-of school-youth), placing emphasis on: 1)the provision of diverse learning opportunities, corresponding to an 80-year life span, for adults and especially for the elderly and women; 2)revitalizing the educational functions of the family and the community, especially towards enriching out-of-school activities through the cooperation of families, communities and schools with the introduction of the five-day school week; 3)the provision of more and better facilities, leaders, and the creation of networks of "social education" facilities; and 4)the effective use of various media for learning activities.