Growing up in Korea, I knew that Chinese and Japanese school systems were completely different, but I did not know the specific details that made up those differences.
From the Gutek reading, I was surprised to learn that unlike China, Japan had education as a national priority. China also had education as a priority, but I think they focused on the quantity of education rather than quality, whereas Japan was able to have a true respect and commitment to education, known as "gakureki shakai" or "educational path society" and kogkureki shakai" or "a society of long educational rouths."
However, I don't like the fact that schools in Japan encourage conformity because then the school gets to decide what is acceptable behavior and what is not. Students get no individualism or freedom to express what they may think is right or wrong. Although I can see how Japanese people may think that teachers could help students uphold values of honor, respect, and responsibility to the home and family, which "mirror the larger society and economy," I think that they should only serve as mentors and guides, not people who tell them what to think and how to act.
I agree with Dasle, schools should guide you into becoming your own person, not force you into a preconceived model. however sometimes it is hard to find a balance between forcing a student to behave a certain way and gently allowing the student to find their own way in the world.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you picked up on the contrasts between China and Japan. You might want to consider geographic/demographic features of China that might explain some of the difference in educational development.
ReplyDeleteDasle, I think to a certain extent, the conformity that is encouraged in Japanese schools is very helpful. As we saw in the video in class, the level of conformity contributes to the overall success of the children's education. By encouraging the children to serve each other food, clean up after themselves, and to walk alone to school, these schools are preparing the children for how to adequately succeed in Japanese culture, fitting in with the values this country holds important.
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