Page 24 - Japanese Growth and Education: 演講人：Motohisa Kaneko教授

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Recent revision of the National Standard for Curriculum is an attempt

to cater to this need at the primary and secondary level of education. There
have been movement to popularize “student-centered teaching,” “participatory
teaching,” and other teaching styles. It remains to be seen how these movement

bear fruit.
I would argue, however, that more significant problems lay at higher
education level. Because of the problems described above, Japanese higher

education institutions have not been truly successful in inducing learning. It
remains true to this day, as evidenced surveys on students learning. To rectify
this problem, various efforts are needed. (Kaneko, 2013a).

Relevance

Second, the relation between education and work has to be reexamined.
This is mainly the issue at higher education level. It was stated above that

Japanese firms have not expected specific knowledge from fresh recruits from
college. As a result the link connecting work and education has been rather
obscure, with exception of health-related professions. Meanwhile, the work-

place sharing of knowledge and skill is losing its ground. How can new relations
between work and college education be formed?
Again, there seem to be no immediate answer to this question. One can

state at least that the link should be diversified. Some schools would concentrate
to provide specialized professional knowledge, while others would provide
educational programs aimed at fostering generic competence. There will be

more courses for adult and working learners.
The educational system, particularly higher education, will have to
accommodate the diversified function, while maintaining the integrity as a

system. Again, the society has to grope for a future direction.