インターナショナルスクール 卒業そつぎょう資格しかくめぐり区くで対応たいおうに差さ 東京とうきょう

It has been found that, regarding children attending international schools, which are increasing in urban areas such as Tokyo, 11 of the 23 wards—including Minato and Shibuya wards—basically do not allow graduation from municipal schools, while other wards do allow it in some cases, showing that the response differs between local governments.

Experts point out that the government should take responsibility and provide guidelines.

In urban areas such as Tokyo, the number of Japanese children attending international schools is increasing. When NHK investigated the 23 wards of Tokyo, it found that there are at least about 4,800 such children.

Many international schools are not recognized by the government as compulsory education institutions, and if parents send their children to these schools, it is, with some exceptions, considered a violation of the legal obligation to attend school.

When NHK interviewed the 23 wards of Tokyo about this, it was found that 11 wards, including Minato, Meguro, Shibuya, and Setagaya, do not recognize graduation for children attending international schools because they do not attend ward-run schools.

These wards tend to have many children attending international schools, but local government officials say, If students do not attend continuously, we cannot grant graduation qualifications alone.

On the other hand, it is said that in 12 wards such as Toshima, Suginami, and Bunkyo, children attending international schools are also registered at ward public schools, and may be granted graduation qualifications through interviews with the principal and other means.

The Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology states that, regarding the differences in response depending on the municipality, each board of education and school, which are familiar with the situation of each individual child, should make the decision.

On the other hand, Professor Eiichi Aoki of Tohoku University, who is well-versed in educational administration,

Professor Eiichi Aoki of Tohoku University: I was very surprised that the way things are handled varies so much depending on the municipality.

I feel that distrust in public education is more pronounced in Tokyo.

The government should not only grasp the actual situation but also provide guidelines that support the decisions made by local authorities. A mother whose daughter attends an international school in Tokyo responded to an interview, saying, I was notified by the ward that a graduation qualification from school would not be granted.

I once attended a public elementary school, but when I decided to transfer to an international school, I was notified by the ward where I lived that my school registration would be removed and I would not be granted a graduation certificate.

The mother said, To be honest, I was surprised that an elementary school student would submit a withdrawal notice.

I remember feeling anxious that my options would be limited if I was considered not to have the qualifications of having graduated from elementary school.

On top of that, regarding the differences in how each ward responds, Even when talking with people around me, things are so different depending on the ward, so I want them to make it clear.

I hope that even if we choose an international school instead of a public one, the fact that the children are studying hard every day will be recognized as real learning.

Minato Ward, Tokyo: The government should also understand the actual situation. Minato Ward, where over 1,100 children—the most among Tokyos 23 wards—attend international schools.

The population is just over 269,000.

High-rise apartment buildings stand side by side, and the average income of the residents exceeds 10 million yen.

In a survey conducted this year by the Board of Education targeting new elementary school students, at least 6 children living in the ward...

It was found that 4%, or one in every fifteen people, attend an international school.

Minato City does not, in principle, allow these children to be officially enrolled in public schools, so it is said that they must notify the parents that this constitutes a violation of compulsory education and that their children will not be granted graduation qualifications.

Minato City Board of Education, School Affairs Division, Section Chief Ken Suzuki: The fact that many children attend international schools is, I believe, a troubling situation both for the schools themselves and for the Board of Education.

I would like the government to properly understand that this is actually happening.