2.85 million signatures calling for free education for private high school students submitted to the Education Ministry

Japan Press Weekly

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2.85 million signatures calling for free education for private high school students submitted to the Education Ministry

High school students, their parents, and teachers on June 21 submitted 2.85 million signatures to the Ministry of Education, calling for free education for private high school students.

In April, public high schools were made tuition-free, and a new financial assistance system started for private high school students, annually providing between around 120,000 and 240,000 yen, based on financial needs. However, parents of a private high school student are still paying annually between 150,000 and 350,000 yen. Therefore, the activity to seek tuition-free education for these private high school students is continuing.

Students and others also petitioned representatives of political parties and the Association of Prefectural Governors to make private high schools tuition-free.

National Federation of Private School Teachers and Staff Union (Shikyoren) Chair Komura Eiichi said, "I hope today's submission of signatures will become a new staring point for our movement for tuition-free private high school education." JCP member of the House of Representatives Miyamoto Takeshi told the participants, "I will work with you to increase the amount of state subsidies for private schools."

On the previous day, about 3,200 students, their parents, and teachers paraded through the Ginza district in central Tokyo.

The parade consisted of around 1,000 high school students from 37 prefectures. In addition, as of June 18, 56 private schools expressed their support for this movement.

Students marched with placards, reading, "Let us be free to choose any school regardless of ability to pay," and, "Let's support our friends." Some of them were dancing with batons and playing Japanese drums, and others were performing an Okinawan traditional dance.

A high school student from Aichi Prefecture said, "My older brother and I were planning to advance to upper schools at the same time. But being unable to afford the admission fees, my brother put off his admission. I don't want to see any other families having to face the same situation." The family of Miyake Ayumi, a third-year high school student in Okayama Prefecture, at one point could not afford to pay her tuition fees and received a notification to pay without delay. Ayumi said, "High school students can help to build a brighter future. The more we get together, the more powerful we can be. Let's push the government to support our goal."

Akahata June 22, 21, 2010