Japan Delays Formal Exams Until Children Turn 10
In Japan, children begin formal schooling without the pressure of exams until they reach the fourth grade, usually around age 10. The first few years of school are not about measuring academic achievement but about shaping character, instilling discipline, and developing social skills.
Educators in Japan emphasize respect for others, responsibility, and teamwork over test scores. The goal is to raise emotionally grounded, socially capable children who are prepared for academic challenges later on.
Scholars teach manners before knowledge, and during these early years, children learn values such as kindness, compassion, empathy, grit, self-control, and justice. They are also guided to respect people, care for animals, and show love for nature.
Another admirable aspect of Japanese schools is the sense of responsibility instilled in learners. Students clean their own classrooms, cafeterias, and even toilets throughout the school year. This practice fosters humility, appreciation for others’ work, and respect for shared spaces, without the need to hire janitors.
Strict school uniforms are also enforced to reduce social barriers, creating a sense of equality and community among students. Unsurprisingly, this system contributes to impressive outcomes: Japan boasts a 99.99% school attendance rate, punctuality is the norm, and 91% of students report giving full attention to their teachers’ lessons.
This approach to education shows us that raising children is not just about academic excellence but also about nurturing character, values, and responsibility, qualities that remain crucial throughout life.
As the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) reminds us, every child has the right to education and to develop their personality, talents, and abilities to the fullest.
Japan’s education system reflects these rights by ensuring that children are not only equipped with knowledge but also with the values and life skills necessary to grow into responsible, capable, and well-rounded individuals.
