Outline

Objectives

  1. Using an international comparative survey covering five countries (the UK, France, Germany, South Korea, and Japan) , we shall clarify the situation and issues regarding after-school activities provided for children in primary education, such as learning activities or learning experience opportunities, held at the schools following the end of the normal daily school curriculum.
  2. Through the above survey, we shall consider possible future styles for after-school activity support in Japan.

Duration / Schedule

This research has been granted full financial assistance from the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS), a governmental organization in Japan, and is planned to be carried out over three years from April 2010 to March 2013.

The principle research schedules are as follows.

  1. 2010 to 2011: Oral-based research will be conducted in the five countries of the UK, Germany, France, South Korea, and Japan with administration officials engaged in the planning and guidance of after-school activities, as well as school personnel who carry out these activities, which are held at schools for children in primary education. In addition, statistical surveys will be carried out using question and answer forms for children enrolled at the schools where these after-school activities are carried out.
  2. 2012 to 2013: Analysis of the survey data, presentations at international symposiums, and writing of articles.

Cooperation

Lifelong Learning Policy Bureau, Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science & Technology Japan; The Embassy of Japan in the UK; The Embassy of Japan in Germany; The Embassy of Japan in France; The Embassy of Japan in Korea; Japanisch-Deutsches Zentrum Berlin

Justification, Relevance, and Expected Outcomes or Impacts

  1. Today, activity support for children that makes use of the time following the normal daily curriculum is increasingly being adopted in numerous countries, with the intent of a fostering healthy development and achievement through experiencing a variety of activities that include increased academic ability, sports, and art. This research will clarify the ways in which approaches to after-school activities are currently carried out and the issues they are directly facing in five different first-world nations.
  2. By using a statistical survey of children, we shall quantitively analyze and clarify the effects of activity support and changes in the children engaged in after-school activities.

Procedures

  1. With the cooperation of the education ministries of each country, the Japanese embassies, and researchers in each country, we shall request interviews with the personnel in charge of administration and those connected with schools. (July – Oct. 2010)
  2. Local surveys (UK, German) (Oct. – Nov. 2010)
  3. Local surveys (France, Republic of Korea) (Feb. – Mar. 2011)
  4. Follow-up surveys in each of the five countries (Apr. – Dec. 2011)
  5. Analysis of survey data and presentation of research results (Jan. 2012 – Mar. 2013)

Previous Work (Background)

The members of this research project have carried out survey research in Japan in areas related to this project’s theme. Major previous research is as follows.

Stakeholder Engagement

The funds for this research will be entirely covered by a Grant-in-Aid from the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science.

Dissemination of Research Resutls

  1. The research results based on the three years of this research are planned to be published as a book.
  2. The results from this research are scheduled to be provided as information accessible via the internet or other methods in order that they can be utilized for future expanded research.

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