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Class Act

By on April 4, 2008

Miss 10 is worried. With the new Japanese school year starting in April, she is moving up to fifth grade, facing a new teacher and a new class. Nothing unusual in that. But like many others, her public elementary school keeps the kids together for two years, usually with the same teacher, too. Her third and fourth grade class has been particularly close-knit and Miss 10 adored her teacher. She is also very upset at the thought of being separated from her best pal, Yuna.

Up until now, there have been two classes in her grade, so even when the classes were mixed up, there was a 50 percent chance that the kids would be back with good friends. However, one child transferred in last year, pushing the numbers over the limit. With 81 kids in the incoming fifth grade, there will be three classes of 27 students instead of two classes of 40.

Yes, you read that correctly! There can be up to 40 children in a Japanese public elementary school class. Moreover, this holds true for all the grades, regardless of age. In New Zealand, parents talk glumly of “too many kids” when there are 30 students per class in the upper grades. For the youngest children, authorities try to keep class sizes under 15. In comparison, when my younger daughter started Japanese school last year, there were 100 first graders, resulting in three classes of 33 or 34.

Things are not necessarily any better in the private sector. At my son’s private junior high school, 120 students are accepted to each grade, to make three classes of that magical number—40.

Our school has made some baby steps in the right direction. From fourth grade, a math specialist teams up with the class teachers to split the grade into slightly smaller groups for math. But all other subjects are conducted with the regular class size.

So what is it like for teachers trying to cope with up to 40 kids in a class? Pretty tough, these days it seems. In the past, value was placed on conformity and teachers were respected by students and parents alike. But with increasing emphasis on respecting individuality, and the general trend in society for youngsters to question authority rather than just obeying, teachers are facing a stressful situation.

In some cases, particularly among upper grades, teachers gradually lose control of their classes as their students start running amok. This phenomenon is known as gakkyu houkai or “classroom collapse.” According to some surveys, up to one third of the nation’s elementary schools have seen it occur at least once.

Although there have been reports of this happening at one or two schools in our area, fortunately our school has avoided such problems. In fact, considering the pressure they are under, I think the teachers do an incredible job!

The parents of my older daughter’s classmates are pleased that we’ll have smaller classes from April. Mari’s son struggled with his math last year. “It’ll be better for the kids and the teachers. They kids will really be able to get some individual attention!”she enthuses.

This is small comfort for Miss 10, however. “I hope someone moves during spring break so we go back to 80 kids. Then I might just be in the same class as Yuna again,” she sighs wistfully.

About Louise George Kittaka