Education is important for a brighter, more stable future, and the Japanese government goes a long way into making sure that everyone receives this opportunity. Public primary and secondary education is free in Japan, so what are the costs that people actually need to account for?
Why pick schools in Japan?
Economic strength is a major indicator of a country’s quality education. Richer countries mean better quality in the education sector. Japan has been consistently leading the global standards in education quality. Boasting its 99% literacy rate, it is evident that the Asian powerhouse prioritizes the cultivation of learning among its citizens. According to the Organization of Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), the country has a 97% high school graduation rate, a prominent statistic among its peers.
※Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, "Graduation rate"
Aside from the competitive figures, Japan’s educational philosophy is interesting as well. Grounded upon an egalitarian viewpoint, the educational system does not dwell only upon the intellectual capability but also fosters the general well being of the student. Even from the roots at the primary level of education, a certain sense of empathy and responsibility are inculcated to the thinking of every pupil. And it translates eventually to the collective responsibility as they proceed to other steps of their educational pursuit.
The Japanese Government continues to invest largely in the education sector, bringing about fairness in terms of access to it. Substantial subsidy flows into the sector, providing free education for all, from pre-school and even to the tertiary level. Also, it allows for the development of exceptional school facilities for learning. Public education in the country, therefore, offers competitive considerable learning standards from different levels.
Despite the free and equitable access to education in the country, other costs should be taken into account. Here is a look at some of these extra fees.
Writer's Pick
Breakdown of schooling costs
Going to school does not mean participating with all the learning activities within the institutions. It also involves other costs, such as extracurricular activities, daily expenses, and additional school fees. Although the public education system of Japan is tuition fee-free, there are also private schools that offer specialized education for those who are capable of paying it.
Also, there are additional charges paid to the schools, even for public primary and secondary schools, such as parent-teacher association fees, donations, field trips, and school uniforms. These additional payments are not included in the public education framework in Japan. It means that the family should shoulder the expenses themselves.
Japan follows a 12-year learning system. The primary level lasts six years, while the secondary level lasts six years, with three years for each division.
One should also note that the secondary level in Japanese education is composed of two main divisions: Junior or Lower Secondary level and Senior or Upper Secondary level. The lower secondary level has major changes in its curriculum that departed from the elementary or primary level.
On the other hand, the upper secondary level is a noncompulsory division within the secondary education division. The curriculum at this level could be either a preparatory stage for university education or specialized learning on vocational training in various technical fields. Each division is offered in public secondary high schools.
Here is the breakdown for the annual cost of public schooling for primary and secondary levels. The items mentioned in the breakdown are the major components of education in Japan. Each item plays an important role in daily education at each level. It is important to note as well that the sum of each cost is the annual average for every student.Note that these figures are subject to change.
Public Schools
Primary (Elementary grades 1 - 6) - 321,281 yen per child per year
- School Costs - ¥63,102
- School Lunch - ¥43,728
- Extracurricular Activities - ¥214,451
Secondary (Junior/ Lower Secondary High School) - 488,397 yen per child per year
- School Costs - ¥138,961
- School Lunch - ¥42,945
- Extracurricular Activities - ¥306,491
Secondary (Senior/ Upper Secondary High School) - 457,380 yen per child per year
- School Costs - ¥280,487
- Extracurricular Activities - ¥176,893
※Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology, “About the 2018 Results of Tuition Fee for Children Survey” p.3
School costs include fees for school supplies, PTA and student association fees, school trips, transportation costs, uniform costs, and so on. School lunch is provided at elementary and lower secondary schools, whereas as upper secondary schools, the students are expected to provide their own school lunch so costs may vary. Extracurricular activities include cram school lessons, sports, music lessons and the like.
Private schools
Let us now focus on the private schools in these two levels. It can be seen that the breakdown below has changed within each item and the additional tuition fees. It is already given that private schools charge fees for tuition. Also, the changes in costs are due to access to it, or sometimes, the educational institutions themselves charge it with a fixed cost. Refer below for the breakdown of educational costs in private schools:
Primary (Elementary grades 1 - 6) - 1,598,691 yen per child per year
- School Costs - ¥904,164
- School Lunch - ¥47,638
- Extracurricular Activities - ¥646,889
Secondary (Junior/ Lower Secondary High School) - 1,406,433 yen per child per year
- School Costs - ¥1,071,438
- School Lunch - ¥3,731
- Extracurricular Activities - ¥331,264
Secondary (Senior/ Upper Secondary High School) - 969,911 yen per child per year
- School Costs - ¥719,051
- Extracurricular Activities - ¥250,860
※Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology, “About the 2018 Results of Tuition Fee for Children Survey” p.3
Examples of more detailed items in the breakdown are the same as that of public schools. It can be noted that families of students sent to public schools spend more money on educational costs at home, including private tutors.
Comparative Cost Per Annum
It can be noticed from above that there are significant differences between the costs of education in public and private schools in the country.
The difference largely lies in the tuition fee and the high costs of other expenses in the private schools. Provided that tuition fees in public educational institutions are free, it causes a huge raise when accounted for in private schools.
Also, there are preparatory schools, which may not be compulsory, but are preferred by Japanese families to prepare their children for organized schooling offered in primary and secondary education. Preparatory schools offering nursery and kindergarten have their distinct approach to learning. It emphasizes the intellectual and social development of the child, aiming to adapt to the changing demands of their surroundings. This is included in the cost of extracurricular activities.
Summary
Good access to quality education ensures the future of an individual. It is evident in Japan that everyone prioritizes education. Upon knowing the costs of education in primary and secondary levels in the country, one may inquire, is it worth it after all? Of course! Education is an investment for the future, not only for the individual but also to his or her country and generation. And when it comes to education, never hesitate pursuing what’s the best for you and your children.
