Increasing the number of Japanese schools nationwide is one of the objectives of the Ministry of Education to reform the system, Education Minister Mohamed Abdel-Latif said recently while addressing parliament.

As of 2024, 55 such schools were operating across the governorates except for Luxor. The plan is to increase the number of schools to 100 by the 2027 academic year. The schools will be introduced to Luxor in the next academic year.

Egyptian-Japanese Schools (EJS) focus on a comprehensive process of education, such as character building and interactive learning.

The beginning of EJS dates back to 2016 following a visit to Japan by President Abdel-Fattah Al-Sisi. The visit led to a partnership aimed at integrating Japanese educational principles into the Egyptian system. Accordingly, an agreement was signed between Egypt and the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) to build 100 Egyptian-Japanese schools funded by a Japanese donation.

The curriculum taught in the EJS combines the Egyptian national curriculum with elements of the Japanese education system. The primary curriculum in these schools is the standard Egyptian curriculum which is delivered primarily in English.

Students in EJS learn neither the Japanese language nor do they study the full Japanese educational syllabus. “The focus remains on enhancing the existing Egyptian curriculum with Japanese-inspired practices that promote personal and social development,” Abdel-Latif emphasised.

In addition to the standard curriculum, EJS integrate Japanese educational principles, specifically the Tokkatsu method. Tokkatsu refers to a range of special activities designed to foster social skills, emotional intelligence, teamwork and a strong sense of responsibility among students. “Tokkatsu activities include morning assemblies, group discussions, collaborative projects, and even daily cleaning routines in which students take responsibility for maintaining their classrooms,” according to Ahmed.

“These activities are intended to develop student character and instil values such as discipline, respect, and a sense of community,” Ahmed said.

Teachers are also trained to encourage critical thinking, creativity, and collaboration among students rather than rely solely on rote memorisation. The schools, according to Ahmed, focus on hands-on activities that allow students to apply what they have learned in practical contexts.

Mona Zaki, whose daughter is enrolled at a Japanese school, said she was surprised at first “to see my daughter coming home excited about cleaning her classroom. But now I see how it has helped her develop a sense of responsibility. She’s more organised at home, too.”

Admission to EJS is competitive due to high demand. Applications for the 2024-25 academic year opened in mid-April this year for 15 days. The selection process includes interviews with students and parents, focusing on social skills and a willingness to engage in group activities. Parents are also expected to volunteer for at least 20 hours an academic year, fostering a collaborative spirit between the school and families.

Ahmed noted that the average number of students in each class is 36, according to JICA standard regulations which state that the space allocated for each student in a classroom must not be less than 1.75 square metres.

Ahmed said that this year, EJSs are hosting students from KG1 to grade seven, adding that next year there will be year eight.

Annual fees range from LE10,000 to LE17,000, making them more affordable than most of Egypt’s private schools. According to Ahmed, school fees are based on a special system.

“The success of EJS is evident in improved student attendance and positive behavioural changes. Last year, student attendance at EJS exceeded 80 per cent until the last day of school,” Ahmed said.

* A version of this article appears in print in the 21 November, 2024 edition of Al-Ahram Weekly under the title: The Japanese way