CHAPTER EDUCATIONAL REFORMS IN DIFFERENT COUNTRIES AND THE FUTURE EDUCATION IN JAPAN
1 Main Trends of Educational Reforms in Major Countries
(2) Content of Educational Reforms
a Extension of the Length of Compulsory Education
As we see in Chapter I, a trend to extend the length of compulsory
education is evident in most European Countries. The length was extended from
10 to 11 years in England, from.8.to 10 years in France (extension to 12 years
is considered also), and is extending to 9 years in the Federal Republic of Germany
with its final goal of 10 years.
Since eleventh and twelfth grades belong to the last stage of
secondary education in every country, the length of compulsory education tends
to be extended through these grades. This trend indicates the fact that on one
hand the ideal of "secondary education for all" is gradually being put into practice
and on the other hand the improvement of educational standards of the whole nation
is highly needed. Since the shortage of young workers is a common phenomenon
in most European countries, the extension of compulsory education naturally presents
a pressing problem, but the improvement of the quality of future generations
by enhancing educational standards is considered to be more important.