EDUCATIONAL SYSTEM & PRACTICE IN JAPAN

14	“VIII Teacher's Qualifications/Training/Appointment”	Previous	Next	JAPANESE

	Appointment is a generic term for employment and promotion. As in the case of general administrative officers, teachers must be appointed based on their exam scores, work records and other abilities. However, the way teachers’ examinations are administered is different from that for general administrative officers. Teachers’ examinations are not competitive but selective (Article 13 Clause 1, Special Law for Public Education Workers). Selection is made by judging achievements, experience, humanity, practical skills and experience and physical strength on the basis of specific standards. In public schools, aside from schools attached to specific universities, the superintendents of the boards of education make the selection of teachers. In schools attached to universities, the presidents of the universities handle this appointment task. In national universities, excluding schools attached to universities, the Minister of MEXT handles appointments. (Article 13 Clause 1, the Special Law for Public Education Workers) The examination for employment of teachers is designed to assess the ability, will and commitment to the mission as a teacher of individual candidates through written, oral and practical examinations. For the first year of teaching, prospective teachers are employed on a conditional basis, and during that period they undertake training for 1st year teachers.