One of the most prestigious school systems in the world systems reveals its flaws.
Tokyo (AsiaNews) More than 40 per cent of Japanese kids think that the sun revolves around the earth, this shocking result according to a survey conducted by Professor Hidehiko Agata of the National Astronomical Observatory of Japan. His research team questioned fourth- to sixth-year elementary school children in 9 institutions from six prefectures including the capital of Tokyo. Many pupils did not know how to answer or gave the wrong answer. For example, 30 per cent did not know in which direction the sun set, a proportion that rose to 73 per cent for city kids.
Such results are surprising for a country considered among the most highly educated in the world. But survey organisers explain the negative situation two ways: the rigidity of Japan's school programmes and the lack of contact with nature.
Japans' strength but also its weakness lies in its highly regulated nature. Teachers must teach and pupils must learn what the Education Ministry decides. If the programme does not question the Ptolemaic system, teachers would be breaking rules if they did so if no other reason than raise pupils' scientific curiosity.
In some ways things are even worse. A century ago Italian pedagogue Maria Montessori taught the world that a child's mind was not a clean slate on which one could write but a rich jumble of intuitions to which one had to respond. Unfortunately, in a Japan obsessed by economic efficiencies, children's minds are treated like computer hard disks on which one writes programmes according to goals set by political-industrial elites.
The growing absenteeism of children from elementary and high schools is a healthy symptom that should shake those in charge of society, first of all parents, out of their complacency. Yet, as shocking as the results may be, some proposed solutions are even worse. In fact, according to professor Agata, "the current content of learning for elementary school students is extremely insufficient [and] it is necessary to add astronomy to elementary school curriculum."
Adding more information to already crammed mental "hard disks" is more likely to cause shutdown. Instead, what is really needed to overcome ignorance and lack of interest is a revolution in the educational approach. Taking care of children's inner needs even in today's complex society is more important than cramming their minds with concepts.
Fortunately, Japanese society is not totally regimented like other places, North Korea for instance. Religious freedom is widespread and Christian Churches have an important window of opportunity that they should use.
With its teachings and beliefs jumpstarted by the Second Vatican Council, the Catholic Church is ideally placed to help Japan escape from its present impasse. The Church can do so if she breaks out of its defensive mode and shows the courage to be an evangelical spark.