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Home > Policy > White Paper, Notice, Announcement > White Paper > JAPANESE GOVERMENT POLICICIES IN EDUCATION, SCIENCE AND CULTURE 1994 > PART II Chapter 3 Section 1 2

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PART II Recent Trends and Developments in Government Policies in Education, Science and Culture
Chapter 3. Enhancing Primary and Secondary Education
Section 1. Fostering Richness of Spirit
2. Volunteer Education



(1) The Significance and Current Status of Volunteer Education

Today, in view of the aging of society and other social changes, it is more important than ever to give schoolchildren a deeper awareness and understanding of the importance of social welfare and of the problems of the elderly and disabled and teach them the importance of consideration for others and of community spirit. It is equally important, in the light of urbanization and the trends toward nuclear families and fewer children per family, to instill in schoolchildren an appreciation of the value of work and the spirit of social service through firsthand experience, since their experience of activities in the context of daily life has diminished.

Schools are working to do this in various ways, according to local circumstances. Some are organizing litter cleanup activities, while others are creating gardens and planting flowers in public spaces or offering volunteer services at homes for the aged. Such activities should be further encouraged.


(2) Volunteer Education Promotion Measures

The new Courses of Study call for the further enhancement of volunteer education. For example, social-service activities are given specific mention in the section on special activities, an indication of the importance the Ministry of Education, Science and Culture places on instilling in schoolchildren a spirit of social service and nurturing in them a sense of dedication to public welfare and social development. The Ministry is implementing the following measures to promote volunteer education.

Designation of pilot schools to conduct research into hands-on learning, including social-service activities
Organization of volunteer education study conferences (since fiscal 1994)
Preparation of teacher's reference materials containing examples of actual teaching activities (since fiscal 1994)
The Lively Experience Activity Model Program * (since fiscal 1994)

* The Lively Experience Activity Model Program was initiated in fiscal 1994 to carry out practical research into the concept of utilizing the educational potential of communities by providing elementary and lower secondary schoolchildren in pilot municipalities with opportunities to experience various activities, such as volunteer activities in welfare facilities. Research is being conducted over a two-year period. In fiscal 1994, 10 municipalities throughout Japan were commissioned to carry out this work.


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