Practical study on inclusive education to be held in Japan

September 12, 2017

TOKYO- The University of Tokyo's Graduate School of Education will carry out practical research on inclusive education, which enables children to learn in the same place regardless of disabilities, Jiji Press has learned.

The graduate school will conclude a partnership agreement with Ozora Elementary School, a municipal school in the western Japan city of Osaka, which has actively used the education system for over 10 years, and collaborate on research activities including classes, coaching and school management, informed sources said.

It also plans to utilize the partnership in human resources development for teachers, according to the sources.

Japan's education ministry has a policy of promoting inclusive education, which is said to promise benefits for nurturing minds such as respect for diversity and mutual help. The ministry has urged local governments to provide support in line with children's situations.

The number of elementary and junior high school students who are enrolled in regular classes but take special classes in separate rooms totaled some 100,000 in fiscal 2016. The figure is eight times more than the number in 1993, when the system of disabled children taking part in regular classes was first introduced. Jiji Press