EDUCATIONAL SYSTEM & PRACTICE IN JAPAN

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

	Young teachers, especially 1st-year teachers have various worries, difficulties and issues at school. Capacity development is needed for young teachers to become independent teachers. The first school for young teachers to be assigned to is called a “second school”, and this illustrates how important the first school to which a teacher is assigned to is. Previously, 1st-year teachers needed to do the same work as teachers with 10 years of teaching experience. They also were treated as independent teachers. However, since 1st-year teachers do not have sufficient teaching ability and experience, training for 1st-year teachers was implemented. In such training, 1st-year teachers are trained both within and outside of their schools for 60 days. Also, the status of 1st-year teachers is that of conditioned employment. Capacity development for 1st-year teachers cannot be achieved in a single year, and take approximately 3 years. During this period of time, the role of in-service training within schools and the leadership provided by principals is critical in nurturing young teachers’ development.