Enhanced
unity through sub-committee activities The
Seigakuin Education Conference established 10 sub-committees. Each of the ten
sub-committees meets approximately once every three months. All members of the Seigakuin
faculty and staff belong to one of the sub-committees that have been working on the issues
assigned to them.
This resulted in better mutual understanding and increased awareness of the issues and problem areas of each school. Furthermore, based on this sense of unity, a common point of view is being developed in a tangible way regarding Seigakuin education as a whole and what the goals for the future should be. With the common understanding of all issues by all of its members, Seigakuin can find solutions to its problems more effectively. Through
the mutual understanding between the schools, a more organic, integrated education and an
image of future action for Seigakuin education are taking shape. Ten sub-committees of the Conference on Education Following
are the messages from the chairpersons of the ten sub-committees: 1.
Christian Education (Hidehiko
Hayashida, Seigakuin Junior and Senior High School) We
will clarify the significance and responsibilities of Seigakuin education. This will be
done by making sure that all the Seigakuin schools, whose foundations are the gospel of
Christ, are always filled with the power of the gospel, which enriches Christian education
and research activities and promotes the sharing of the gospel throughout Seigakuin. 2.
Seigakuin Education and the Fundamental Law of Education (Norihiro
Nishimoto, Seigakuin University)
3.
Education for Freedom and Responsibility (Yoshiaki
Ogura, Joshi Seigakuin Junior and Senior High School) Is
it still possible to find common principles and approaches despite the distinctiveness at
each educational level and the awareness of each other's differences in the wide spectrum
from kindergartens to university? In order to
achieve the goal of "nurturing responsibility," a common perception is
developing as to what is required: self-reformation of teachers, trust-building with
students as well as the understanding and cooperation of parents.
5.
Language and Communication Education (Mitsuharu
Akudo, Seigakuin University) One
of the main tasks for education today is the establishment of wholesome communication
through language that originates from a tactful and considerate spirit. Through the
comprehensive discussions during the Conference in the second year, we realized the great
value of some of the efforts at Seigakuin that had already brought forth fruit, and we
discussed ways to build on them and develop them further. 6.
English Education (Noboru
Yamamoto, Seigakuin University) While
all schools except the university appear to be burdened with the work related to the
revision of the curriculum guidelines mandated by the Ministry of Education and Science,
our goals have consistently been to develop a theory for integrated education and actually
practice it. We have been working on the improvement of English education at Seigakuin
schools in order to achieve these goals. During this past year, we have discussed action
plans that can be shared among Seigakuin schools. 7.
Computer Education (Tatsuya
Omori, Seigakuin University) Real-time
two-way communication was a fantasy ten years ago, but the arrival of the broadband age
has made it a reality. Considering the convenience and usefulness of information
technology, application to the field of education will become a must in the near future.
We have been discussing how we will use this technology. 8.
Career Guidance (Takeo
Shibata, Seigakuin University) This
sub-committee is composed of members of the University Career Services and Planning
Committee, the Academic Affairs Committee and the Career Services and Planning Center as
well as career guidance counselors at the junior and senior high schools. We have
confirmed that each school offers career guidance services that are appropriate to the
students' qualifications. Based upon this, we have gone on to discuss how to develop an
even more effective career guidance system for the Seigakuin Schools. 9.
Arithmetic and Mathematics Education (Tetsuo
Kimura, Joshi Seigakuin Junior and Senior High Schools) As
a private school system with elementary as well as junior and senior high schools, we have
been carrying out research not only for integrated education of junior and senior high
schools, but also for integrated education of elementary school arithmetic and junior high
school mathematics. With the introduction of
the new national curriculum, we have been working on ways to improve arithmetic and
mathematics education for Seigakuin Schools. 10.
Administration and Management Operation in Support of Education (Yoshiaki
Suzuki, Seigakuin Head Office) Declining
birth rates and decrease in the number of children will affect the operation of schools in
various ways. In consideration of this background, this sub-committee has identified two
goals for the three-year Conference: re-education for administrative staff and training of
highly qualified professionals. To achieve these goals, activities for self-development
and widening of perspectives are conducted through three working groups in the areas of
the development of self-expression, the development of analytical thinking and the
improvement of practice and implementation. |
||||||