The following are based on my observations and experiences as an elementary teacher in the Philippines for about a decade before coming to Japan, where I have now been living for more than a decade. I am currently working in an elementary school in Japan and have been working in Japanese public schools for a total of about seven years.
- Teacher Assignments: In Japan, teachers do not have permanent school assignments. They change schools every three to four years, moving within the city or to neighboring cities. New teachers change schools every one to three years, while veteran teachers nearing retirement can stay at the same school for up to seven years. In contrast, in the Philippines, most teachers remain at their assigned schools until retirement unless they request a transfer for personal reasons or promotion.
- Grade Level Assignments: Japanese teachers not only change schools but also grade levels. For example, a teacher who teaches first grade one year will likely teach second grade the next year, following their students. Few teachers remain in the same grade for consecutive years. In the Philippines, most teachers stay at the same grade level until retirement, making it common for siblings to have the same first-grade teacher.
- Class Schedules: In Japan, class schedules change daily and are usually announced a week or a day in advance, typically on Fridays. Each subject is taught for equal amounts of time, either 45 or 50 minutes. In the Philippines, academic subjects like Math and Science are taught for up to an hour or longer, while non-academic subjects like Music or Home Economics have shorter periods. Filipino teachers create the class schedule at the beginning of the school year, and it remains fixed unless significant changes are needed.
- Equality and Uniformity: Japan values equality and uniformity in schools. All students participate in activities like Sports Day, regardless of their physical abilities. In the Philippines, competition is common, with various school competitions such as Quiz Bees, Spelling Bees, Beauty Contests, and Sports Meets. Japanese schools emphasize uniformity in school bags, shoes, haircuts, and even hair color, whereas Filipinos value individuality and standing out.
- Indoor and Outdoor Shoes: In Japan, the footwear worn outside is not allowed inside school buildings. Students change to indoor shoes upon entering, and each student has a shoe box. This practice emphasizes cleanliness. In the Philippines, this custom is not standard, although some teachers may require indoor shoes for their classrooms.
- Skills Requirements for Teachers: Japanese teachers must be able to play the piano and swim to become licensed. They are expected to teach music and swimming in schools. In the Philippines, most public schools lack musical instruments like pianos, and teachers do not need to play an instrument. Swimming pools are rare in Filipino schools, and students typically learn to swim at beaches or rivers.
- School Lunch: Japanese schools provide well-balanced and nutritious lunches prepared on-site or at school lunch centers. Students help distribute lunch. In the Philippines, students can bring lunch boxes, buy food at the school canteen, or go home for lunch if they live nearby.
- Traveling to School: Japanese children walk to school in groups based on their residence area. Parents only accompany first-graders for a short distance initially. In the Philippines, many young students are taken to school by their guardians, who sometimes stay to watch the class. The distance and traffic conditions in the Philippines make it impractical for many students to walk to school.
- Recess Time: In Japan, recess is not eating time. Students have short breaks between classes and a longer mid-break (nakayasumi) to play, relax, or visit the library. In the Philippines, recess is typically when students eat their snacks (baons) or buy food from the school canteen.
- Bringing Money to School: In the Philippines, students can bring money to buy snacks or other items during recess. In Japan, students are generally not allowed to bring money to school, except for small amounts with strict limits (e.g., ¥100 for elementary students, ¥300 for junior high students). There are no items to buy at school, and bringing personal accessories or CDs is not allowed.
These differences between Japanese and Filipino schools reflect the unique cultures of each country. They are not meant to judge one as better or worse but to highlight the diversity in educational practices.