Internet vote on education law begins

Progressive and democratic teachers who are deeply apprehensive about the proposed adverse revision of the Fundamental Law of Education have set up an online system to allow every teacher throughout the country to vote for or against the proposal.

The Internet voting, which began on May 9, is sponsored by the All Japan Teachers and Staffs Union (Zenkyo) and members of other teachers' unions struggling jointly with Zenkyo to resolve the crisis of education. They are calling on teachers of child care centers, elementary, junior and senior high schools, and schools for disabled children to vote.

The present education law stipulates that "education shall not be subjected to improper control," but the government wants state's intervention in public education and puts emphasis on the need to instill "patriotism" in children.

The sponsors say they want to use the online vote to encourage discussions in schools throughout the country to use the Fundamental Law of Education as a guide to improve education. (end)