A record number of school teachers will participate in a summer internship program offered by businesses, highlighting educators' growing interest in gaining experience outside the classroom, according to figures released on Tuesday.

The number of teachers from elementary, junior high and senior high schools taking part in internships in July and August increased to 1,168, up from 1,070 last year, according to the Keizai Koho Center, the public relations arm of the Japan Business Federation, which organized the program.

"Education boards increasingly regard teacher internships at private companies as important," said spokesman Yuta Kaneko. "They hope the experience at private firms will broaden teachers' perspectives."