Primary Education in Japan
Education in Japan is compulsory for all children 6 years and up. Because of the competition for the best schools in Japan, more and more children are being enrolled by their parents to kindergarten (yochien) and even Pre-school. About 80 percent of students at the kindergarten level are enrolled at private institutions, a number of which are selective. These selective kindergartens give these students an edge to gain access to highly selective schools at subsequent levels of the education ladder.
Primary School in Japan (Shogakko) is six years in length (grades 1-6) and is for children between ages six to 12. A greater majority of schools at this level are public (98.4% as of 2003), but there is considerable competition to enter one of few prestigious private schools, usually affiliated with a private university foundation, where entry virtually guarantees entry to affiliated schools all the way up to the University.
Children attending public schools are free from tuition fees. At the end of the 6 years of primary school, a certificate of completion ( Shoggako Sotsugyo Shosho) is awarded, and students are automatically accepted into lower secondary school
The Curriculum in The Primary education in Japan encompasses subjects on the Japanese language (reading, writing, literature), mathematics, science (grades 3-6), social studies (grades 3-6), arts, music, physical education, moral education, home-making (grades 5-6), life environment studies (grades 1-2). The curriculum also includes special activities (class and club activities) and periods for integrated studies to combine skills learned in different subject areas (grades 3-6)
