THE budget for primary student English-learning materials, which is the business of the Japanese Education, Science and Technology Ministry, may be scrapped following a decision by a government panel tasked with reducing wasteful spending. However, the decision has caused dismay among teachers across the country, according to The Daily Yomiuri.
In Japan, there is no set English textbook for primary schoolchildren. “Eigo Noto”, the booklets being used for English courses at public primary schools, is regarded as one of the few useful English-language materials available to teachers. The ministry distributed about 2.5 million copies of the booklets to most public primary schools across the country this spring. The purpose of this was to ease teachers’ concerns over mandatory English classes for fifth- and sixth-graders in 2011, and to ensure a degree of standardization regarding the teaching of English to this age group.
The ministry requested 850 million yen ($9.8 million) to pay for the booklets. But members of the Government Revitalization Unit’s screening team came out against the project, even raising the fundamental question that why English should be taught at primary school. Some said the material should be digitized so schools could print it out themselves.
After the panel reached the decision, the ministry was being inundated with inquiries from education boards all over the country. School principals and authorities have urged the ministry to continue issuing the booklet. By November 30, the ministry has received 350 opinions on the decision via phone calls and e-mail, about 300 of them opposing the decision to cut the budget.
“After lengthy discussion, it was decided that English should be taught at primary school. Why do they start all over again, asking why it’s necessary?” said Reiko Matsukawa, head of the Gifu prefectural board of education, who submitted a letter to the ministry asking for the program to be continued. Matsukawa said she was angry that some panel members raised questions about the value of primary school English education.
“The material is a must for teachers who have never taught English,” said Yukio Mukoyama, chairman of the Japan Federation of Primary School Principals Association, who made a plea for the continuation of the project to Toichi Sakata, the vice education minister. “It is very important in regional areas, where it has proven to be an important guide (for teachers).”
