2010 PISA Results - A need for promoting the joy of reading

My feeling about the recenty released PISA results for Japan was reflected in a Japan Times editorial today.

http://search.japantimes.co.jp/mail/ed20101211a1.html

"Japanese students are poor at finding subjects of interest and studying them. PISA found that 44.2 percent of them do not have the habit of reading books for enjoyment, considerably higher than the OECD's average of 37.4 percent.

Japan's new study courses are designed to cram knowledge into students. The education ministry should rethink its approach and lessen the burden of individual teachers so they can help students develop interests and learn the joy of thinking and studying."

At ICU, I think most of my students have no problem with motivation to read and think about issues they are interested in, but a few do have that difficulty. However, ICU attracts a very small number (600 per year) of some of the most motivated and talented learners in Japan. On a national scale in Japan, I can see that the education system is not promoting an enjoyment of reading, especially in the college entrance exam oriented curriculums of junior and senior high school. My students confirm this when they tell me about their secondary education.

It is a tragedy that is must be rectified.