明治中期の教育雑誌にみる就学年齢の議論 : 『教育時論』の議論を中心に

概要

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This research examines the debate about the appropriate age for children to begin formal schooling. This debate appears in educational magazines in the middle of the Meiji era. In particular this essay focuses on Michiyoshi Mishima's "Investigation Report of Educational Systems: The Issue of School Age" (Mishima: 1902). Mishima proposed that 6 years should be the standard age for beginning school in those days. The debate about school age has not been researched fully either by myself or previous scholars, yet the argument was of great concern to the educators of that time. This can be shown by the large number of opinions appearing in the magazine Kyoiku Jiron (Debates on the Age of Education). One contributor said that that the age of seven is more suitable than the age of six for commencing school, citing his experience that seven-year-olds are far more able to understand classes and obey rules. Another cited physical development as a main criterion, and thought that the age of six was a good age to start school. Other contributors compare the age of school entrance in various countries, while yet others study the subject from the fiscal point of view. It is beneficial to study this historical turning point in education in Japan, for it has many points from which we may view current issues about school entrance age. This debate from Mid Meiji suggests possibilities for educational reform today.
幼児教育史学会の論文
2007-11-30