Prime Minister Shinzo Abe held the 25th meeting of the Education Rebuilding Implementation Council at the Prime Minister's Office.
Discussion took place on how to manage the meetings of the Council.
Based on the discussion in the meeting, the Prime Minister said,
“Since its inception in January of last year, the Education Rebuilding Implementation Council has compiled five proposals based on intensive deliberations. As a result, we have achieved significant outcomes, including the revision of laws, in relation to issues such as the reform of the system of the board of education and of the university governance system. These were challenges that were discussed for many years, but were never achieved. I would like to once again express my gratitude for all your efforts.
That said, the education rebuilding process is only half complete. I believe we must continue to hold discussions on further fundamental reforms in these meetings.
In holding these discussions, I would like you to keep in mind the needs of the future, such as the fostering of innovative human resources and entrepreneurs, support for adult continuing education and women's active role, creating an education system that vitalizes local economies, and establishing administrative and financial systems for realizing a country with a strong educational base.
In addition, I request that you continue to thoroughly follow up on the progress of the implementation of proposals, to ensure that the concepts contained therein are taking hold in actual places of education and that they are being reflected in actual educational activities.
Today we are newly joined by two female Council members, Ms. Shihoko Urushi and Ms. Chiaki Mukai. In addition, we will set up breakout sessions, and I would like you to begin full-fledged discussions of each issue under consideration, together with experts with thorough knowledge of the respective issues. I am confident that this improved system for holding discussions will help you achieve even greater progress.
Today I went to Futaba County in Fukushima Prefecture. Futaba County has decided to establish a combined junior high and high school, and create three courses within it. These will be a university preparation course, a top athlete course, and a professional course. In other words, they will create a combined junior high and high school with 120 students in total, and each of the vocational course, top athlete course, and university preparation course will have 40 students. The aim is very much to create a school that represents the future of Futaba County. The local people have started a new movement in the hope that the school will pave the way for the future.
In this Council, I believe we have discussed the various ways to diversify educational curricula and courses, including this kind of combined junior high and high school. I hope that the members of this Council will also offer their support for this kind of movement.
I would like to request your continued cooperation for holding active discussions.”