Roundtable discussion between the president of Kyoto University and the principal of a preparatory school in the Tokyo metropolitan area 2nd --University Journal Online

Education reform Principal Roundtable High and large connection

Based on the reality, reform with a foot on the ground

Principal Takeshi Sugiyama (Saitama Prefectural Urawa High School)

I would like to support the direction that Urawa should aim for, as it is in line with the education that Urawa has been aiming for. In 1988, Thomas Lauren of Stanford University wrote a book called "Japanese High School".This is a summary of Lauren's visits to Japan and his thoughts through participation observations at various high school sites, but he acknowledged the goodness of Japanese education and made Japan a global future society in the future. He pointed out the need to develop education centered on learning rather than taking exams in order to respond.In particular, he took up the university entrance exam question that asks for knowledge of the names and schools of Greek philosophers, and condemns that "it is unthinkable for Americans."I think that situation has basically not changed since then.I think that the seriousness of changing the university entrance examination is being questioned.

On the other hand, there are also cultural differences from the West.In advancing the reform, it is necessary to be careful not to lose the good school culture of Japan, for example, the culture of education for all people including club activities and events as well as studying.Especially for multiple exams, do not allow movements that incite or advance the entrance exam.In addition, it is necessary to be careful not to widen the economic disparity due to the misunderstanding that, for example, it is not possible to deal with it without going to a cram school or private school as the reform progresses.Instead of rushing to design the system, I would like to see the reforms based on the reality.

Principal Takeshi Sugiyama (Saitama Prefectural Urawa High School)

Universities also make efforts to realize "fairness"　

Principal Yuji Kishida (Kunitachi High School)

The high school connection report requires a multifaceted evaluation that integrates interviews, group discussions, high school surveys, activity history of individual applicants, and grades of the "University Entrance Applicant Academic Ability Evaluation Test (tentative name)". ..I agree with this in itself, but how do you evaluate the activity history of individual applicants, for example?I don't think fairness can be maintained by simply taking the offer of the person as it is.

I think it would be good if the university itself spends a lot of time and effort, such as checking the activity history of applicants for a long period of time.That will make a big difference in high school education.