a. Procedures of the Education System Order and Educational Policies

The Education System Order envisioned the eventual creation of a comprehensive modern educational system. Suggestive of the government's planning was a document attached to the original draft of the Order which contained the following nine-point outline:

l) The assurance of firm support for elementary schools;

2) The immediate establishment of normal schools;

3) The assurance of equal educational opportunities to all, regardless of sex;

4) The gradual establishment of middle schools within each university district;

5) The maintenance of a carefully enforced system of grading for students;

6) The encouragement and support of promising students;

7) The establishment of a few business schools;

8) The construction and repair of schools with utmost care;

9) The promotion of prompt translation of important Western works.

The intention of the Department of Education was to concentrate on elementary schools at first in its enforcement of the Education System Order and to lay gradually the foundations for the establishment of middle schools. Of equally high priority was the establishment of normal schools which were urgently needed for the training of elementary school teachers.

It was only after middle and elementary school districts began to be established in the prefectures and school district supervisors were appointed that some elementary schools commenced instruction from April, 1873. While progress was gradually made, traditions were strong in the more peripheral areas and funds were so short that the prospect of an overnight transition was unrealistic.

In March, 1873, after completing his inspection tour of the United States and Europe, Tanaka Fujimaro returned to Japan to become a leading figure in the world of education. In June of that year, David Murray was invited to Japan from the United States and in August appointed adviser to the Department of Education, as stated earlier. It was with his assistance and guidance that details were worked out for the enforcement of the Education System Order and concrete proposals devised for instructing the prefectures. Through inspection tours to outlying areas, the officials of the Department of Education acquired a clear idea of the actual conditions in the various school districts as well as promoted the enforcement of a standardized policy throughout the country. Given the social background of Japan at that time, strict implementation of the Education System Order was impossible, but through the cooperation and hard work of local people concerned with education, the aims of the government were gradually achieved.