Japan schools debate mask-wearing during PE

Jul 12, 2021 | News On Japan

Jul 12, 2021 (the-japan-news.com) - As summer approaches, and with it the high risk of heatstroke, many schools are grappling with whether students should wear masks during PE class.

The Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology Ministry has said masks are not needed during PE, but fears over the coronavirus spreading have prompted many children to wear them anyway.

During PE class for about 30 sixth-grade students at an elementary school in Toyonaka, Osaka Prefecture, the teacher in charge told the students to take off their masks, to help prevent heatstroke. However, one student put her mask back on, saying, “I’m scared I’ll get infected if I don’t have my mask on.”

If a student wants to wear a mask, their legal guardian can submit a written request to the homeroom teacher.

“I want to pay attention to even the smallest changes in the students’ physical condition,” the school’s principal said.

Tokyo’s Setagaya Ward is asking its municipal elementary and junior high schools to handle mask requests on a case-by-case basis, as many legal guardians do not want their child to take their mask off at school.

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