Japan Launches Emergency Plan to Tackle Teacher Shortage

TOKYO, Jan 24 (News On Japan) - Japan's education ministry has initiated an urgent survey directed at prefectural education boards to gather information on the number of new teachers they can secure and specific measures they are taking to address a critical shortage.

The survey targets education boards of prefectures and government-designated cities, excluding four prefectures affected by the Noto Peninsula earthquake in Ishikawa Prefecture, and seeks responses by the end of next month. Specifically, the survey aims to collect information on the measures being taken to alleviate teacher shortages by April, the start of the new fiscal year, the extent to which new teachers can be secured, and plans for the upcoming fiscal year, including projections of the number of teachers that can be secured.

Last April, a survey conducted by Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT) among 68 prefectures and government-designated cities revealed that over 40% of the local governments, totaling 29, reported that the teacher shortage had worsened compared to the previous year. Moreover, some local governments have not taken measures since then, leading MEXT to anticipate a critical shortage of teachers this spring as well.

The survey will also investigate the planned use of a project aimed at securing external talent in collaboration with universities and corporations, for which MEXT has allocated 500 million yen in this year's supplementary budget. Additionally, the survey will inquire about concerns regarding not utilizing this project, aiming to understand the real situation of local initiatives and to encourage measures for the new fiscal year.

by Brian Dentry

Source: NHK

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