With nearly 300,000 elementary and junior high school students not attending school, the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology will review the method of responding to national surveys on school refusal based on schools' perceptions, as there is a difference in the recognition of the factors between children themselves and teachers. I decided.
The results of a survey commissioned by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology regarding school refusal were released on the 25th, and when asked about the reasons for school refusal, about 70% of the responses from children and students themselves were related to physical and mental illness, while only 20% of teachers responded. It was found that there is a large difference in recognition, with some being less than the same.
In response to these results, the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology decided to review the method used to conduct the annual national survey on school refusal, etc., and sent this year's survey to boards of education across the country on the 26th.
Specifically, the method used to select one main factor for school refusal based on the school's recognition from items such as ``bullying,'' ``apathy, and anxiety,'' but from now on, it will be changed to ``If there is a consultation about bullying, ”, ``I was seen not submitting my homework'', ``I was consulted about anxiety/depression'', etc. This means allowing multiple answers based on the background facts.
In addition, when answering questions, we recommend checking with the child/student, as well as their parents and school counselor.
Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology Moriyama said at a press conference after the cabinet meeting, ``Many of the causes of school refusal are thought to be 'lethargy and anxiety,' and it has been difficult to see the actual situation. I want to work hard to promote it."