Teachers, Teacher Education, and Professional Development

In Japan, becoming a public school teacher requires graduating from a Ministry-approved university teacher education program and then obtaining a teaching certificate for a particular school level (primary, lower secondary, or upper secondary) and for a particular subject. However, a teaching certificate for primary school is not divided into subjects. During teacher education programs, university students must earn a required number of course credits and conduct a prepracticum in a school for several weeks, supervised by a school teacher.

The board of education for each prefecture or metropolitan district confers teaching certificates. Teachers are required to pass a teacher employment examination administered by the local board of education and then complete a one year conditional employment period. During this period, new teachers receive a broad spectrum of training conducted by the local board.

Teacher Education Specific to Mathematics and Science

During teacher education programs, university students must earn a required number of course credits related to each subject.

Requirements for Ongoing Professional Development

In 2003, Japan instituted a new professional development system under which all teachers with 10 years of experience receive training, according to their individual abilities and aptitudes, in areas such as course instruction and student guidance. Local boards of education offer courses and workshops to improve teachers’ instructional abilities and help teachers develop educational knowledge that is useful for instruction. Lesson study (Jyugyou kenkyu) is a popular type of training especially for primary school teachers designed to help them improve their teaching skills.