JCP proposes making high schools tuition-free

Japan Press Weekly

Japan Press Service Co., Ltd. is the only news agency providing information of progressive, democratic movements in Japan

JCP proposes making high schools tuition-free

Japanese Communist Party Chair Shii Kazuo proposed making high schools tuition-free as part of the party's call for an economy governed by rules.

He made this proposal in his campaign speech on July 25 in the Asakusa district of Tokyo.

Shii said tuitions are too high in Japan for many families to be able to pay for their sons and daughters to attend schools. "The unusually high tuitions are making it difficult for many children to strive to achieve their dreams, and are forcing many households to shoulder extremely heavy financial burdens."

He also said that a society that forces households to pay one third of their family income for education cannot be allowed.

Shii revealed that only Japan and three other countries among the 30 OECD (Organization of Economic Cooperation and Development) members levy tuition fees for public high schools, and that Japan and two others have education loans for high school students. He stressed that tuition-free high schools are commonplace in the world and that it is cruel for youth to have to shoulder student loan-related debts as soon as they graduate.

JCP Chair Shii proposed making both public and private high schools tuition-free and establishing a scholarship program not tied to repayment.

- Akahata, July 26, 2009