Report on Problematic Behaviors of Public School Students
The Ministry of Education (March 13, 2013)
Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology: Japan
The Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT) in Japan published an updated version of a national survey, titled “Problematic Behaviors of Public School Students (1-12).” According to the survey, violence against peers and teachers in schools decreased across all grade levels. The number of truant students decreased by 2,000 in elementary and junior high school compared to last year; however, the number of truant students increased by 600 at the high school level. In addition, the number of 1- 12 grade students who committed suicide was 202. This is a 29.5% increase compared to last year. The survey follows a report last month from the National Police Agency that revealed the number of bullying incidents reported in 2012 more than doubled to 260 from the year before. The report also showed that 511 students were arrested or taken into custody in 2012. A special commission on education reform is expected to address these issues by recommending, among other things, that “moral education” be made a regular subject.
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