School absenteeism in Japan rises to almost 300,000; The story of one girl

As Golden Week comes to an end, many parents are concerned about their children missing school, especially during the transition from long holidays. In the 2022 school year, the number of primary and secondary school students absent from school increased by 50,000 to approximately 300,000, the highest number ever measured.

A sixth-grade girl living in Tokyo experienced absenteeism during her third semester in fourth grade. She told how she felt attacked and scared after being criticized by a male classmate. This experience led her to become reluctant to go to school.

The girl’s class was divided over classroom management, and the boys turned their frustration on her. Her mother explained that her daughter was shocked when she was singled out during class.

Despite efforts by the school to address the problem through better access to counselors, the girl’s mother found it difficult to get her daughter to school when she was adamant not to go.

According to data from the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology, the leading cause of absenteeism from school is “lack of motivation or fear,” accounting for more than 50% of cases, while “bullying” accounts for only 0.2%.

The girl’s journey to recovery began when her mother came across an organization called ‘Sudachi’, which aims to guide students back to school within three weeks through parental involvement.

Sudachi’s representative, Ryotaro Ogawa, emphasized the importance of focusing on the family rather than the school. The organization promotes limiting digital use within the household and encouraging family activities, which has led to improved communication and strengthened relationships between parents and children.

The girl eventually returned to school two months after her initial absence, shortly after her mother sought Sudachi’s help. Now the girl views school in a new light and appreciates it more than before.

Source: ANN