c. Teacher Training by the Prefectural Governments

In order to respond to the demand for new teachers in accord with the Education System Order, each prefecture devised methods of strengthening its own training program. The result was a disturbing diversity in institutional goals and programs. It was difficult to find two teacher training schools with similar purposes, and the length of courses in these prefectural schools varied widely. Most of the schools required six months of attendance, but a few required only a few months and others a year. Many operated merely as refresher course centers for persons already in the teaching profession. From about 1876 inspired by the example of the central government's normal schools there began a move to reorganize these prefectural institutions. School terms were extended and pre-service teacher training introduced.