TOKYONovember 1 (News On Japan) – The number of primary and secondary school students in Japan classified as “chronically absent” has reached an all-time high of about 350,000, according to the Ministry of Education’s latest survey.
Each year, the Ministry of Education surveys primary, secondary, high and special education schools across the country on issues such as chronic absenteeism and bullying. The results for the past financial year were announced on October 31.
The study found that the number of primary and secondary school students with chronic absenteeism increased by approximately 47,000 compared to the previous year, for a total of 346,482 students. This is the eleventh consecutive year of increase and a record high.
At the high school level, numbers also increased by about 8,000, to a record 68,770 students.
The Ministry of Education attributes this increase in part to a growing understanding among parents, many of whom no longer feel compelled to force their children to attend school.
In addition, the number of recognized cases of bullying in primary, middle and high schools reached a record 732,568 cases.
There were also 1,306 serious bullying incidents classified as ‘serious cases’ that could lead to chronic absenteeism or suicide, the highest number of cases recorded. In around 40% of these cases, schools had not recognized the incidents as bullying until they were officially classified as serious cases.
Source: ANN
