July 18, 2019

Akahata 'current' column

A Japanese Communist Party supporters' group consisting of teachers, in a video clip, is casting light on how unreasonable the system which requires public school teachers to decennially renew their teaching licenses. The video garnered more than 14,000 views on the first day of its release on July 14.

The teacher certification renewal system was introduced under the first Abe government. Public school teachers have since faced the possibility of being disqualified from teaching at public schools every ten years if they do not take the course to obtain renewal of their teaching licenses. The Ministry of Education on its website explains that the purpose of the renewal system is to have teachers acquire up-to-date knowledge so that they can obtain the necessary qualities and abilities.

Then why is it that teachers should be fired only because they fail to take the classes for an updated issuance of their teaching licenses?

In fact, a danger is inherent in this teaching license renewal system: State power by judging and grading of teachers could train them to teach according to the national authority demands, crack down on those who engage in educational justice movements, give them ideological education lectures, or exclude those who prioritize the interests of the children instead of the country.

Ideological indoctrination reminiscent of prewar and wartime Japan may once again become a reality.

Past related articles:
> 3 education bills hastily passed through Lower House [May 19, 2007]
> Bills to allow state to interfere in education must be scrapped: JCP Ishii [April 18, 2007]