Elementary Schools
Japanese elementary schools offer more than just academic education. They impart a wide range of life skills to students, including responsibilities like cleaning, sweeping, washing, food preparation, serving, and sharing. Beyond maintaining the tidiness of their lockers and desks, students are responsible for ensuring the entire school premises remain clean. Each school day features a dedicated time slot for cleaning, during which students are organized into groups, each assigned specific chores and lunchtime responsibilities. These responsibilities rotate daily, ensuring that every child participates in various tasks and learns the value of shared responsibility.
Japanese elementary schools are more than institutions of academic learning; they serve as centers for holistic education. Alongside traditional subjects, students are taught important life skills, such as cleaning, sweeping, washing, food preparation, serving, and cooperation. In a unique practice, students are entrusted with the upkeep of their school’s cleanliness. Every school day includes a designated cleaning period, during which students are divided into groups, each assigned specific tasks and lunchtime duties. This rotation system instills in them a sense of shared responsibility and the importance of maintaining a clean environment.
