Teachers' union Zenkyo holds 18th annual congress

The All Japan Teachers and Staff Union (Zenkyo) held its 18th annual congress from July 5 to 7 in Tokyo.

Matsumura Tadaomi, Zenkyo president, in his opening address stated that Japan's teachers union movement has continuously struggled to defend the Fundamental Law of Education. He stressed the need to increase cooperation among all teachers and school staff, irrespective of their union affiliation, and with parents and other workers.

Discussion by congress delegates brought out how teachers and children have been forced to work and study harder since the five day school week system was introduced in April 2002.

All Saturdays are off in public schools, but some teachers voluntarily go to school on Saturdays to give special lessons to children who can't keep up with ordinary lessons. In some schools, each class is longer and breaks shorter. Teachers have to work 12 hours a day to do jobs they are forced to by the new education ministry guideline.

"Teachers and children are very tired. The number of children who came to the school infirmary between April and June was the same as that of the whole previous year," said a school nurse.

In order to prevent children from falling behind others, Zenkyo has pushed local governments to reduce the maximum class size to 30, although the education ministry's standard is 40 or less. Efforts of Zenkyo and parents have produced results in 26 local governments throughout Japan.

Zenkyo has attached importance to the struggle against the contingency legislation. In many parts of Japan, Zenkyo members have taken part in signature collection, street campaigns, and sit-ins in front of prefectural offices. A high school teacher reported about high school students' study meetings and signature collection in opposition to the contingency bills.

Japanese Communist Party Vice Chair Ishii Ikuko and National Confederation of Trade Unions (Zenroren) Vice President Kumagai Kanemichi attended the congress as guests. (end)