[Provisional Translation]

Prime Minister Shinzo Abe held the 30th meeting of the Education Rebuilding Implementation Council at the Prime Minister’s Office.

During the meeting, the seventh draft proposal was submitted and discussion took place on the progress of proposals made thus far.

Based on the discussion, the Prime Minister said,

“The Education Rebuilding Implementation Council has ardently discussed issues since it was established in January 2013, and today we have reached the milestone of the 30th meeting. I would like to take this opportunity to once again thank all members for their great efforts over this time and extend my gratitude for finalizing the seventh proposal today. 

In the future, dramatic advancements in information communication technology and computers will profoundly transform the way we work and live. In light of this, education must also change.
This proposal indicates fundamental reforms, including the promotion of “active learning,” to ensure students are not passive learners, through the utilization of ICT in classrooms to nurture their abilities to think independently. It also draws up standards on the necessary skills that teachers must have, and recommends the implementation of common testing that can be used by all prefectural governments for hiring purposes.

I would like Minister Shimomura to take the lead in steadily implementing the details of this proposal in the future.
I ask that all members to continue with vigorous deliberations on the outstanding issue of “the form the financial affairs of education, such as sources of funding, should take.” Thank you very much.