OSAKA, Could 17 (News On Japan) –
Japan’s coverage to supply free highschool tuition for each private and non-private colleges is increasing choices for households who as soon as gave up on personal training as a result of price. Nonetheless, in Osaka, the place this coverage was applied forward of different areas, even prestigious public excessive colleges are actually struggling to fill seats.
The prefecture has begun discussions to revise the one-school-only software rule that limits scholar decisions. Newscaster Naomi Trauden experiences on the shifting floor of public training.
Beginning within the 2026 educational yr, highschool tuition can be made free nationwide. One mom, elevating an elementary faculty youngster, mentioned, “The price of training might be heavy, so this can be a aid. Now, selecting between private and non-private isn’t such an enormous situation. It offers us extra choices.” She added, “If my youngster is drawn to non-public faculty, that’s wonderful. If they like public, that’s additionally wonderful. I do not really feel strongly come what may.”
Nonetheless, not everyone seems to be optimistic. Some residents say public funds ought to be directed towards extra pressing wants like meals and day by day help, particularly amid rising dwelling prices.
In Osaka, the place tuition-free personal training started in 2024, the affect has already been dramatic. At personal Kagura Gakuen Excessive College in Osaka Metropolis, enrollment has surged by 50% this yr, rising by about 100 college students to 300. “Personal colleges was seen as costly,” mentioned one faculty official. “Now that tuition is free, the barrier has dropped and it’s simpler to decide on them.”
Kagura Gakuen has raised its annual tuition from 576,000 yen to 630,000 yen. Below Osaka guidelines, tuition exceeding 630,000 yen have to be coated by the college itself. Many personal excessive colleges are pushing charges proper as much as this threshold. Some critics argue this quantities to opportunistic worth hikes below the free tuition scheme.
The varsity launched a brand new manga and illustration course this yr, hiring exterior professionals to show six hours per week. The payment improve has been used to boost the curriculum. Further upgrades embrace a newly put in elevator and revamped restrooms, lecture rooms, air-con, and health club flooring. The varsity says these modifications intention to not compete, however to supply an surroundings the place college students can thrive.
College students within the manga course say they get pleasure from studying from actual professionals and really feel motivated by classmates who share their passions.
In the meantime, public colleges are going through mounting stress. Osaka Prefectural Kawa Excessive College, based in 1909 and often called an elite educational establishment, didn’t fill its enrollment for the primary time for the reason that present entrance system started in 2016. The varsity’s 2025 applicant-to-seat ratio fell under 1.0, dropping to 0.94. Social media dubbed the shock “Negawa Shock,” expressing shock that even high colleges are struggling.
In Osaka, greater than 30% of scholars apply solely to non-public colleges, whereas almost half of the 131 public excessive colleges have unfilled quotas. This pattern predates the nationwide rollout of the free tuition coverage. Kawa Excessive College’s getting old constructing, now over 80 years previous, lacks ample funding as a result of public funds limitations. Whereas the college plans to renovate its bathrooms this yr, outdated services nonetheless affect center schoolers’ decisions.
Some say better funding in public colleges is crucial to protect their enchantment. One official commented, “Free tuition is enormously appreciated by households. However we hope the identical stage of funding being made in personal training may also be prolonged to public colleges.”
The tutoring-free coverage has additionally had surprising uncomfortable side effects. Cram colleges, particularly these concentrating on prestigious personal center and excessive colleges, are seeing a surge in demand. One such Tokyo-based cram faculty, beforehand targeted solely on public colleges, not too long ago added a devoted private-track program and even opened a brand new constructing for it. “We’ve been shocked by the response,” mentioned a workers member. “Many dad and mom are actually utilizing the cash they save from free tuition to spend money on additional programs.”
One such cram faculty now prices 20,000 yen per 30 days and has seen a noticeable improve in college students. Consultants warn that the coverage may widen disparities if not applied fastidiously.
Instructional advisor Komura from Benesse Instructional Analysis Heart says that colleges should now compete for college students, however warns that with out satisfactory lecturers to execute new packages, reforms could fail. Colleges throughout Japan are already reporting a trainer scarcity.
Komura additionally raised considerations about funding. “If the funds is drawn from inside the present training framework, it may imply cuts to trainer salaries or college analysis funds, which might be unacceptable,” he mentioned.
Because the full-scale rollout is about for subsequent yr, the results stay unsure. Private and non-private colleges play completely different roles throughout areas, and a one-size-fits-all method could not work nationwide. Whereas the coverage could assist extra college students attend their ideally suited colleges, it may additionally dampen educational motivation if not paired with broader help.
Below the present plan, tuition equal to about 120,000 yen for public excessive colleges can be coated with out earnings restrictions beginning this yr. Subsequent yr, common tuition for personal excessive colleges will even be backed nationally.
Throughout a current panel dialogue, one Tokyo-based father or mother mentioned the coverage is useful however questioned whether or not households in much less city areas with fewer faculty choices would really feel the identical profit. One other pointed to a Nikkei survey performed in February by which 70% of economists opposed free personal highschool tuition, citing considerations it could encourage tuition inflation and undermine public faculty enrollment.
The Japan Innovation Get together, which championed the coverage, has confronted growing scrutiny. As debates proceed, Japan’s prefectural governors have submitted a proper request to the Ministry of Training, calling for emergency monetary help to enhance public faculty services. For a lot of, the concern is that with out balanced funding, public training may fall into decline.
Supply: テレ東BIZ
