Governor Koike of Tokyo has indicated that she intends to make adjustments in the direction of removing the income limit for support currently in place from the next academic year in order to make high school tuition virtually free.
At the opening of the regular session of the Tokyo Metropolitan Assembly on May 5, Governor Koike stated in her statement, "Child-rearing households are facing various concerns, including anxiety about the future, and I would like to take a bold step toward making high school tuition virtually free and do my utmost to support them with a sense of urgency."
In an interview with reporters afterwards, Governor Koike responded to a question about whether she would abolish the income limit on support that is currently in place in order to make tuition virtually free, saying, "We will ensure that this is the case, and we would like to make sure that the budget is as follows," and indicated that she intends to make adjustments in the direction of removing the income limit from the next fiscal year.
Currently, tuition fees for high schools in Tokyo are based on the annual income of households with an annual income of less than 910.47 million yen, and in the Tokyo metropolitan government, tuition fees are made free with the support of the national government, and for private schools, the Tokyo Metropolitan Government is providing support up to a maximum of more than <>,<>
yen, which is the average tuition fee for high schools in Tokyo, in addition to the national supportThe Tokyo Metropolitan Government intends to abolish income restrictions and expand support measures.
Regarding high school tuition, Osaka Prefecture has also revealed a plan to eliminate the income limit from the next academic year and gradually make it free.
In addition, the Tokyo Metropolitan Government intends to support the cost of school lunches at elementary and junior high schools, and will consider a specific system in the process of compiling the budget for the next fiscal year.
Osaka Prefecture to gradually make it free of charge from next fiscal year
With regard to support for high school tuition, Osaka Prefecture has announced a plan to abolish the income limit for households with an annual income of less than 910.590 million yen from the next fiscal year, and to gradually make it free of charge for both private and public schools.
Currently, in the case of private schools, with the support of the prefectural government and the national government, the estimated annual household income is ▽ free of charge for less than 590.910 million yen
▽ 910.63 million yen to less than <>.<> million yen is free according to the number of children, and the burden on parents is reduced.
In addition, in the case of public schools, if the estimated annual household income is less than <>.<> million yen, it is free of charge with the support of the government.
In these cases, Osaka Prefecture has abolished the income limit, expanded the eligibility for grades from the next fiscal year, and will gradually make them free of charge.
On the other hand, if the annual tuition exceeds the "standard tuition fee" of <>,<> yen set by the prefectural government, the school will bear the amount according to the annual household income.
Tokyo Private Junior and Senior High School Association "Expanding Freedom of Choice"
Akiro Kondo, president of the Tokyo Private Junior and Senior High School Association, which has about 240 private high schools in Tokyo as members, said, "I think removing the income limit is a good thing because it will reduce the burden on parents.
In addition, according to the Osaka Prefectural Government's proposal for a system to make high school tuition free with no income limit, if the annual fee exceeds the "standard tuition fee" set by the prefectural government of 63,<> yen, the school will bear the amount according to the annual household income.
Regarding this, Chairman Kondo said, "If the government sets a kind of restriction on tuition fees, education will be leveled, and private schools have a significance because there are various types of education depending on the school, and I would like you to consider that tuition fees are set accordingly."
The city's reaction was
We spoke in Shinjuku about the Tokyo Metropolitan Government's move to make high school tuition virtually free.
A woman in her 3s who has a child in her third year of junior high school said, "I'm glad that I can get it free of charge without thinking about income restrictions because I work together.
In addition, among the couple raising two children, the husband in his 40s said, "I agree that children can have the opportunity to learn by making it free of charge with no income limit, but I am concerned about where the financial resources are."
In addition, my wife, who is in her 2s, said, "I went to a private junior and senior high school, but the tuition was high and it put a burden on my family, so I want my children to go the way they want to go without thinking about money. I was talking.
On the other hand, a woman in her 40s said, "I think it's good for high school students and their parents, but public support is only for children and the elderly, and we should provide more support to young people who are high school students and older."