| The National Commission on Educational Reform, meeting for the fourteenth time at the Prime Minister's Official Residence, discussed specific government initiatives in response to the "17 proposals for changing education" and other points of the commission's final report of December 22, 2000. Addressing the meeting, Prime Minister Yoshiro Mori said, "Japan's further development depends on whether people endowed with rich individuality and creativity and stepping forward boldly to meet the challenge of diverse possibilities can give free rein to their strengths. Education is truly a long-term undertaking, and one of the top priorities of the state. Respecting your proposals to the fullest extent possible, I will put everything I have into educational reform." The government has issued a Plan for Educational Rebirth in the Twenty-first Century as an action plan building on the "17 proposals for changing education" and other points of the commission's final report. Six educational-reform bills dealing with areas that require amendment of existing legislation, such as the promotion of volunteer activities and smaller classes, are now before the National Diet. -17 PROPOSALS FOR CHANGING EDUCATION- |