TOKYO - As competition for junior high school entrance exams intensifies in Japan, many families are turning their attention to university-affiliated schools, which continue to enjoy strong and growing popularity. These schools offer a rare sense of security in an education system often dominated by relentless testing and high-stakes competition. By guaranteeing admission to their affiliated universities, they allow students to avoid the grueling entrance exam race and instead focus on broader intellectual development, extracurricular pursuits, and early preparation for specialized qualifications.
This time, three schools from the so-called "MARCH" group came together: Meiji University Junior High School, with over a century of history; Aoyama Gakuin Junior High School, offering Christian-based education; and Chuo University Junior High School, known for its liberal atmosphere. Joining them was Benesse Educational Research and Development Institute, a leading authority on educational reform, for a spirited discussion on the present and future of university-affiliated schools.
The absence of university entrance exam pressures offers unique advantages. Participants openly discussed both the benefits and challenges, such as how to maintain motivation without external exams, and what options exist if students later wish to take entrance exams.
Before diving into the main discussion, Komura presented revealing data: fewer children now cite the desire to attend a particular university as their reason for studying. Instead, more students report studying simply to avoid being scolded by teachers or parents. Komura explained that while parents and teachers wish children would enjoy learning and deepen their interests, in reality, many children are too busy with cram schools and extracurricular activities to have time for reflection. As a result, they struggle to find personal motivation or meaning in their studies.
In this context, university-affiliated schools offer students valuable time. Kamimura emphasized that being free from the university entrance race allows students to focus on learning itself. For example, some students begin preparing early for challenging professional qualifications, such as the national bar exam or certified public accountant (CPA) exams. Within the school, third-year high school students who have already retired from club activities are seen studying for the CPA exam, which has a pass rate of just 7 percent. Starting early gives them a chance to pass on their first or second attempt, leaving time for study abroad or further career development afterward. This early start is viewed as a distinct advantage of the affiliated school system.
At Aoyama Gakuin, educators emphasize the luxury of time. They aim to help students slowly explore their strengths and weaknesses, and discover the joy of learning for its own sake, rather than focusing solely on practical utility. Throughout the school, various displays spark curiosity, such as anatomical specimens of cows, horses, and dolphins in science classrooms, or handmade models of castles and ancient burial mounds in social studies rooms. These materials are designed to ignite a desire to learn naturally.
When students struggle with motivation, teachers emphasize cooperation over competition. For example, international programs allow Korean students to visit, where they pair up with Aoyama Gakuin students to attend classes together and assist each other. Such programs, they note, would be difficult to implement in the more intense environment of exam-driven schools.
At Chuo University Junior High School, a special interdisciplinary program begins in third-year junior high, aimed at nurturing future researchers. By their final year of high school, some students have even started their own businesses. Others turn personal hobbies, like trips to Disneyland or interests in K-pop, into academic research projects analyzing marketing strategies. Horiguchi explained that creating these opportunities requires first convincing students that attending a private affiliated school was the right choice. In one example, second-year junior high school students analyze lyrics from popular songs in Japanese language classes, gradually building skills that connect their interests with serious academic work.
Source: テレ東BIZ
