LIFE / LABOR PAINS

Teachers are workers, not martyrs: the severance scandal that isn't

Saints or sinners?: Some media outlets and politicians appear to be apoplectic over the decision by some state school teachers to retire months early to safeguard potentially millions of yen in severance pay. | AP

By Hifumi Okunuki

Feb 19, 2013

"Teachers quitting before graduation?!" the headlines screamed as we headed into the new year.

Traditionally, Japanese teachers head into retirement after March school graduations. However, this January, many teachers left their posts ahead of time, in a wave of resignations that began in Saitama and spread across Japan.

But why?

Teachers are workers, not martyrs: the severance scandal that isn't

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