The Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT) conducted a survey on teachers' working conditions for the first time in six years, and found that 6.45% of junior high school teachers and 77.1% of elementary schools were expected to exceed the 64 hours per month that the government has set as the upper limit for overtime.
The Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT) has decided to improve the treatment of teachers and reform work styles, noting that although working hours have decreased, they are still working long hours.
This survey was conducted by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT) last fiscal year for the first time in six years among approximately 3,5000 elementary and junior high school teachers, and preliminary figures were released on the 6th.
When we looked at school hours worked for
one week each in October and November, we found that the average per day was
▽ weekdays, 28 hours and 10 minute in middle school,
and
11
hours and 1 minutes
in elementary school. Compared to the last time, it was about 11 minutes less.
On Saturdays and Sundays, the middle school was 1 hours and 10 minutes, a decrease of more than one hour from the previous year,
and
the elementary school was 45 minutes, a decrease of more than 30 minutes.
On the other hand, 2.18% of junior high school teachers and 1.36% of elementary schools are expected to exceed the 30 hours of overtime per month indicated by the government.
The Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT) says that although working hours have decreased due to measures to reduce the burden using ICT and the reduction of school events due to the coronavirus pandemic, long working hours are still an issue.
For this reason, we will analyze the results of this survey and consider reviewing the Special Pay Law, which stipulates that overtime pay is not paid in exchange for adding 45% of teachers' monthly salary, and work style reforms.
Takashi Murao, Director of the Finance Division of the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology, said, "I believe that some progress has been made in work style reform, but it has once again highlighted the fact that many faculty and staff still work long hours.
Minister of Education Nagaoka: "We take the results seriously"
At a press conference after the Cabinet meeting, Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology Nagaoka said, "We still take seriously the result that many teachers work long hours. It is important for the government, schools, and boards of education to work together to create an environment where teachers can do their best in what only teachers can do."
He then stated, "This is an issue that comprehensively and comprehensively involves various issues such as salary, the number of faculty and staff, support staff, work systems, and how to improve the efficiency of school duties.