e. Standards for Middle Level School Teachers

In December, 1886, the 1886 Regulations for Licensing Ordinary Normal School, Ordinary Middle School, and Girls' High School Teachers were issued, and a system of giving licenses to graduates of the Higher Normal School and those who passed certification was established. Licenses were graded into first class, second class, third class, and unclassed levels. It was possible to advance to a higher grade license after a certain number of years employment and with certification. Regulations for Examining the Conduct of School Teachers mentioned above were also made a part of these Regulations. In July, 1892, Regulations for Licensing Ordinary Normal School Teachers were independently issued, which came into force in April, 1893. First and second class licenses were distinguished with the latter being for assistant teachers. The first stage of certification for licensing teachers was carried out with or without an academic examination, and a second class license was awarded to those who passed. The second stage of certification could occur after at least one year of employment, and those who passed would be awarded a first class license. In March, 1894, Regulations concerning the Certification for Licensing Ordinary Normal School, Ordinary Middle School, and Girls' High School Teachers were issued. These Regulations abolished grades of licenses and indicated that graduates of the Higher Normal School and the Women's Higher Normal School might be licensed without certification. In December, 1896, the 1896 Regulations for Licensing Ordinary Normal School, Ordinary Middle School, and Girls' High School Teachers were issued to give principals of the Higher Normal School, the Women's Higher Normal School, and some other government schools a greater role in licensing graduates of these schools. Moreover, these Regulations provided that graduates of the Colleges of the Imperial University and a few of other government higher level schools could be certified without an examination. In April, 1899, Regulations concerning the Teacher Licensing of Graduates of Local Public and Private Schools and Graduates of Foreign Universities and Colleges were issued. By these Regulations the range of those who could be certified without an examination was extended to graduates of local public and private schools and foreign universities and colleges.

On March 31, 1900, the Teacher Licensing Order was promulgated, which came into force on April 1 of that year. According to this Order, it was determined that those who were not in possession of a license issued according to this Order could not be employed as normal school, middle school and girls' high school teachers and licenses were to be issued by the Minister of Education to graduates of those government schools set up for training teachers and those who passed certification. Certification could be carried out with or without an examination and in both of these cases a special committee for teacher certification was to be responsible. In June of that year, Regulations concerning Teacher Certification were issued on the basis of this Order, and detailed specifications were given concerning certification with and without an examination. In September of that same year, Regulations for Appointing Those without a License to Normal School, Middle School, and Girls' High School Teachers were issued, which came into force in that month and specifications concerning the employment of those teachers without a license were given.