Japanese Primary & Secondary School Teachers Visit Taiwan
The Education Division of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Office (TECRO) in Japan organizes a study visit to Taiwan by a delegation of Japanese primary and secondary school teachers each year, to promote exchanges between teachers in primary and secondary schools in Taiwan and teachers in in primary and secondary schools Japan. This year is the 35th.
The Education Division of TECRO in Japan organized a study visit to Taiwan for a delegation of 29 Japanese primary and secondary school teachers from January 3 to 7, 2020. The theme of this year's study visit was Gender equality education. The teachers visited the Ministry of Education in Taiwan, primary and secondary schools, and attended seminars, to learn how Taiwan’s education addresses gender equality and learn about Taiwan's education developments in other areas.
The visiting teachers were impressed by the gender equality measures in being implemented in Taiwan’s schools and they considered this an excellent example for Japanese schools to follow. They were also amazed to see schools with unisex restrooms, literally called “gender-friendly restrooms”. Twenty-two schools in Taiwan already have these, in addition to the traditional separate male restrooms and female restrooms.
Parents in Taiwan and Japan place equally high value on their children's education. The visiting teachers confirmed that Japanese parents have considerable expectations of school education, and for this reason, teachers place great emphasis on professional development and constantly improving their teaching methods. Taiwan and Japan have a similar cultural background and international exchanges like this allow teachers working in different systems but sharing the same commitment to their students, to share details and views of different teaching methods.
The teachers found the visit very fruitful, both for their future teaching work, and for promoting friendly understanding between Taiwan and Japan.