Breaking away from the nation's traditionally rigid and formatted educational system, high schools will begin focusing more on nurturing the unique abilities of each student in the coming century, according to the draft of the Education Ministry's new teaching guidelines, released Monday.
New courses will be designed to help develop a student's sense of social responsibility in the local and international communities, foster a "lifelong interest in learning" and develop his or her ability to identify and solve problems in a "relaxed academic environment."
"We want to move in the direction of a more flexible education system that will allow students to pursue subjects that especially interest him," said Tomoyoshi Endo, senior curriculum specialist in the ministry's Elementary and Secondary Education Bureau. "This is essential if a student is to deepen his understanding in his field throughout life."