Why is the Japanese education system the envy of the world? What We Can Learn from it?

It might seem odd, but Japanese schools put manners before knowledge. Their goal for the first 3 years is to develop their kids' character and establish good manners, not judge their knowledge.

Japanese School System and What We Can Learn from it?

The Japanese school system has the most holistic approach to teaching you will ever see. Instead of solely being a center for academic education, they teach kids life skills and discipline, unlike any other system in the world. The main area where a Japanese system differs from the other systems is the emphasis they place on ethics and morals. Their system includes 6 years of elementary school followed by 3 years of junior high, 3 years of high school, and then 4 years of university. With a 99.9% literacy rate as per a survey in 2019, Japan has one of the leading systems of education.

What is the Japanese principle of discipline?

They are proud of what they do, and commit themselves to a self-discipline that is driven by inner strength. From a young age, they are taught to value 頑張る (effort) and 我慢 (endurance) to achieve their goals, knowing that hard work trumps talent.

In Japan, teaching manners is considered to be more important than academics during the first three years of school. The goal of this time is to develop character and good manners, rather than to assess a child's knowledge. Students are taught to be respectful, compassionate, and empathetic, as well as to be gentle with animals and nature. They also learn qualities like self-control, grit, and justice.

Manners before knowledge

In Japanese schools, the students don't take any exams until they reach the age of 10.

They just take small tests. Until they reach fourth grade, Japanese kids don't take exams. It might seem odd, but Japanese schools put manners before knowledge. The goal for the first 3 years is to develop the kids' character and establish good manners, not judge their knowledge. They learn how to be generous, empathetic, and compassionate.

The Japanese school system also emphasizes ethics and morals, and teaches students life skills and discipline. For example, students learn about social hierarchy and how it dictates who should be polite to whom. In a school setting, teachers are considered to be "above" students but "below" the principal and vice principal, so teachers must be especially polite when speaking with the principal. Students are also expected to be polite to everyone.