Teachers union resolved to foil adverse revision of Fundamental Law of Education

The All Japan Teachers and Staff Union (Zenkyo) has decided to dramatically increase the struggle to thwart the government attempt to adversely revise the Fundamental Law of Education.

Zenkyo held its annual convention in Shiki City in Saitama Prefecture on July 5 and 6.

Noting that an increasing number of Japanese young people, including high school students, are taking part in peace activities, Zenkyo Chair Ishimoto Iwao called on teachers to strengthen the campaign to foil the government plan to make Japan "a war-fighting nation."

He also reported that 135,000 teachers took part in the online vote over the proposed revision of the Fundamental Law of Education, and 80 percent voted against. "Let's apply the law more deeply to every school and education," he said.

The new action plan criticized the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology for increasing fierce competition in schools.

It called on teachers to carry out a massive campaign to reduce class size to under 30 students in cooperation with parents and children. It called for more discussion with teachers who are not union members and increase Zenkyo membership.

Delegates spoke about "joint efforts with parents and residents in opposition to a merger of high schools" (Osaka), and a drive to collect signatures for "a class size under 30 students" from more than half of the population (Wakayama). (end)