A strange phenomenon is occurring in Japan’s teacher population, which was once filled with high-quality talent. That is, a sharp decline in the number of people taking the teacher certification exam. It is believed that a decline in test takers will result in a decline in the quality of teachers hired. Historically, the development of professional knowledge and skills among Japanese teachers has been left to the educational field. It could be said that Japan’s teachers have earned a world-renowned reputation by having veteran teachers provide both direct and indirect instruction to unskilled new teachers. The current situation places even more of a strain on veteran teachers, creating a paradox: teachers who should be providing learning support to children are now providing instruction to new teachers.
Amid this situation, a system is being developed to improve the teaching skills of new teachers through support from private companies. Gakken Holdings (Gakken) will open a cram school on the campus of Ariake College of Education (Tokyo) in April 2026. This initiative is unique nationwide. This junior college will open a “Child Education Department” that students can earn childcare worker qualifications and kindergarten and elementary school teaching licenses. Junior college students will be able to teach children in Gakken classrooms. Gakken will hire students from the newly established Ariake College of Education and Arts as part-time instructors. This partnership involved mutual benefits. Gakken had been struggling to secure student part-time workers due to the declining birthrate. Gakken classrooms will provide a learning environment that is highly compatible with students aiming to become childcare workers or elementary school teachers.
Education is the foundation of a nation. If education, which develops human resources, becomes dysfunctional, it will lead to a decline in national strength. A decline in the ability of teachers, who support this foundation, will surely lead to the decline of the nation. There are also issues with the quality of those aspiring to become teachers. One veteran teacher noted that it has become common for new teachers to be unable to teach or manage classes satisfactorily. Teachers require specialized knowledge and support skills. Each subject and course taught by a teacher has its own set of goals. Classes also include a process of assessing whether children are understanding the lesson and reaching their learning goals. There are many incompetent teacher applicants, and as the competition rate declines, so too does the skill of teachers. Given this situation, the partnership between Gakken and junior colleges could be a good model. By experiencing many learning situations with children, students hoping to become teachers will be able to acquire a certain level of skill. We want to train as many teachers as possible who can provide appropriate support to children as quickly as possible.
