（4）The Creation of Lower Secondary Schools

As in the case of the new elementary schools, lower secondary school education was begun before adequate textbooks could be prepared. However, a far more pressing problem was the lack of teachers and physical facilities. Initially only 15% of the lower secondary schools were housed in their own facilities, most of which had been diverted from other levels. So-called "open-air schools" and non-regular classes were necessary in order to accommodate the remaining 85%. Similarly, there was the shortage of teachers; and even in the case where the vacancy on the teaching staff could be filled up, about half of the number were those who were transferred from the old National Schools, and many of them lacked the proper licenses for lower secondary education.

In an attempt to cope with the situation, the Ministry of Education appropriated a temporary subsidy for school facilities in the supplementary budget for 1947. The following year the amount of the subsidy for the construction of facilities for the new six-three compulsory education system attained five billion yen. However, cuts in the first budget of the 1949 fiscal year entirely eliminated the five billion yen estimate for that year. Due to the confusion that followed, some 170 heads of cities, towns, and villages either resigned or were recalled. With time, conditions improved, but the inauguration of the lower secondary school system was beset with real crisis.