Around 60 percent of high school teachers remain negative about a proposal for universities to switch undergraduate enrollment from spring to autumn, a survey by an education-related information provider showed Thursday.
While several universities are studying the proposal, made by the University of Tokyo, to shift the start of the academic year to conform with the international norm, the survey by Sanpou showed a cautious view among high schools.
The survey collected responses from guidance counselors at 223 high schools in the Tohoku, Kanto and Kinki regions.
Among the respondents, 60 percent expressed opposition to autumn enrollment, while 14 percent were in favor of a complete shift to autumn. The remaining 26 percent said they were in favor of mixed spring and fall enrollment.
Some teachers said it would be problematic to switch to autumn enrollment without changing spring enrollment and graduation for elementary, junior high and high schools, while others warned that a six-month window between high school graduation and college entrance could lower students' enthusiasm for learning.