Fostering Real-World Learning Through Partnerships

In a progressive move, Gifu City is actively promoting collaborations between its schools and private companies, aiming to provide students with practical, real-world learning experiences. This initiative, highlighted during a recent roundtable discussion involving educators and Mercari representatives, seeks to address the limitations of customary classroom settings and prepare students for the challenges of tomorrow.

Superintendent Mizukawa Kazuhiko of the Gifu City Board of Education emphasized the importance of learning through direct engagement with real-world problems. He noted that while traditional education frequently enough assumes future applicability, learning from professionals in various fields offers immediate relevance and deeper understanding. For instance, inviting financial experts to discuss mutual funds provides a more enriching experience then teachers simply lecturing from textbooks.

There are many things that cannot be learned using the city’s official educational resources alone. Thus, we believe that deepening learning through collaboration with private companies is extremely effective.
Mizukawa Kazuhiko, Chief of Education, Gifu City Board of Education

Overcoming Hesitations: Building Trust and Accountability

While the potential benefits of these collaborations are clear, schools often express concerns about partnering with private entities. Principal Toyama Kenji of Noritake Elementary School highlighted the critical role of the Board of Education in providing reassurance and support. He emphasized that schools must be cautious and accountable when disseminating information, making the backing of the Board essential for successful partnerships.

To ensure smooth collaboration, Noritake Elementary School engages its “Community Schools” organization, consulting with the School Management Council, the Support Promotion Committee, and the PTA president. This inclusive approach fosters understanding and cooperation among all stakeholders.

Schools have no choice but to be cautious about collaborating with private companies…it is extremely crucial to have the board of education backed up when it comes to collaboration with private companies.
Principal Toyama Kenji,Noritake Elementary School,Gifu City

Gifu City’s Innovative Programs: Connecting Education and Industry

Gifu City has established several initiatives to facilitate collaboration between schools and professionals.The “gifu MIRAI‘s promotion Project” aims to teach students how to “live” through authentic experiences. Additionally, the “Gifu MIRAI’s Regional Support squad,” a human resources bank, connects schools with approximately 4,000 supporters, including local alumni and professionals from diverse fields. This program allows schools to invite experts into classrooms, enriching career education and providing students with valuable insights.

Another resource, the “Your Dreams Project,” offers a platform for schools to connect with organizations and individuals with specialized expertise. These programs underscore Gifu City’s commitment to leveraging community resources to enhance educational opportunities.

As of 2024, japan faces a growing skills gap, particularly in STEM fields. Initiatives like Gifu City’s collaborative programs are crucial for equipping students with the skills and knowledge needed to thrive in a rapidly evolving job market.

Navigating the Challenges: Revenue, Responsibility, and Curriculum Overload

While the concept of students selling items through platforms like Mercari Shops presents exciting learning opportunities, it also raises important questions about revenue management and responsibility. Secretary-General Noda Kaoru of the Gifu City Board of Education Secretariat stressed the importance of directing revenues towards community and social activities, rather than individual gain, to minimize resistance and maximize educational impact.

Superintendent Mizukawa highlighted the need to clarify responsibility in case of product complaints and to carefully consider how earned revenue is utilized. He cautioned against focusing solely on profit, especially in elementary schools, and suggested that donating proceeds to the city with specific requests could be a more appropriate approach.

Moreover, Principal Yuanshan addressed the issue of “curriculum overload,” where educators struggle to incorporate new content, such as consumer education, financial literacy, and STEAM subjects, into an already packed curriculum. Integrating these new elements effectively requires careful planning and management skills.

STEAM Education and the Future of Learning

Mercari policy planning representative Ota Ei emphasized the importance of streamlining program implementation and minimizing the burden on schools. Ota advocated for a STEAM-focused approach, integrating science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics, to create a more holistic and interconnected learning experience.

By visualizing the curriculum and strategically positioning educational content, schools can ensure that new programs are seamlessly integrated and contribute to a well-rounded education. This approach not only enhances learning but also prepares students for the interdisciplinary challenges of the future.

Looking Ahead: Continuous Advancement and Collaboration

Professor Mitsuhashi Seiya of Noritake Elementary School emphasized the need to connect new initiatives with existing curriculum frameworks to ensure continuity and avoid one-off lessons. By incorporating external talent from the beginning of the fiscal year and integrating activities into subjects like home economics, schools can create more fulfilling and impactful learning experiences.

The ongoing dialog between educators and private companies like Mercari is essential for refining these collaborative efforts and addressing the evolving needs of students. By working together,Gifu City is paving the way for a more dynamic and relevant education system.

The “Your Dreams Project”: A Collaborative Approach to Education

Gifu City’s Board of Education is pioneering a new approach to education through the “Your Dreams Project.” This initiative aims to connect schools with relevant instructors and resources from the private sector, streamlining the process of integrating real-world expertise into the curriculum.

According to Mizukawa, Chief of Education, the project establishes a curated list of instructors for various educational programs. The Board of Education then acts as a facilitator, connecting schools with appropriate lecturers based on their specific needs. This proactive approach eliminates the need for schools to independently search for and vet external resources, saving time and effort.

Furthermore,the Board of education proactively informs companies about potential requests from schools,fostering smoother collaboration and ensuring that businesses are prepared to contribute to educational initiatives.

Addressing the Challenges of Integrating Private Content

While the potential of private sector content in education is undeniable, challenges remain in effectively integrating these resources into the classroom. Fujii highlighted the logistical and financial hurdles of relying on external instructors, such as Mercari employees traveling from Tokyo to conduct classes.

To address these challenges, the focus is shifting towards empowering teachers to independently implement practical educational programs, such as “Mercari education,” that allow students to engage with real-world concepts in a fun and engaging way. However, many teachers express difficulty in finding and evaluating relevant private content.

Professor Mitsuhashi echoed this sentiment, stating that while he is eager to incorporate external content into his social studies classes, the process of finding suitable materials and assessing their quality is often cumbersome.

Solutions: Centralized Resources and Collaborative Networks

To overcome these obstacles,several solutions are being explored. The Gifu MIRAI’s Portal Site, launched by the Board of Education, aims to serve as a centralized repository of educational content from private companies. This portal will provide teachers with a one-stop shop for finding relevant materials, organized in a user-kind manner.

In addition to centralized resources, collaborative networks play a crucial role.Principal yuanshan emphasized the importance of discussions within the Principals’ Association,where educators share experiences and insights on various programs. This word-of-mouth exchange provides valuable feedback and helps schools make informed decisions about which resources to adopt.

Yuanshan also highlighted the effectiveness of leveraging existing relationships with companies. For example, when school visits to Toyota and Pajero were disrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic, the schools were able to utilize digital content from these companies to continue providing valuable learning experiences.

The Board of Education as a Coordinator: Facilitating Collaboration

Recognizing the time constraints and burdens associated with creating programs in collaboration with private companies, the Board of Education is exploring the possibility of acting as a coordinator. This would involve the Board receiving proposals from private companies and then connecting them with interested schools.

though, Mizukawa cautioned that programs proposed by private companies may not be suitable for all schools. Therefore, it is crucial to carefully assess the needs and context of each school before implementing any new program.

takahashi emphasized the importance of continuous improvement, urging schools and private companies to view each program as a trial and to use the feedback gathered to refine and enhance the program over time.

Revising Curriculum Guidelines: Fostering Adaptability and Innovation

Discussions are underway regarding the revision of curriculum guidelines, with a focus on fostering greater flexibility and innovation in the classroom. Mizukawa stressed the importance of incorporating diverse perspectives and ensuring that the curriculum remains relevant in a rapidly changing world.

He argued that the current curriculum guidelines are frequently enough too prescriptive, limiting the ability of schools to tailor their programs to the specific needs and interests of their students. He proposed that the guidelines should be more flexible, allowing schools to freely decide how to integrate resources such as Mercari programs into their curriculum.

Ota emphasized the need to communicate education policies in a clear and accessible manner, ensuring that teachers can easily understand and implement them in the classroom.

Creating an Exciting Educational Environment

Ultimately, the goal is to create an educational environment that is both engaging and effective. Mizukawa expressed a desire to make education more captivating, empowering teachers to create exciting and meaningful learning experiences for their students.

Takahashi acknowledged the challenges faced by teachers, including heavy workloads and administrative burdens. He argued that it is essential to address these challenges and create a system that supports teachers in providing high-quality education.

Yuanshan emphasized the importance of establishing systems that are not dependent on individual teachers,ensuring that innovative practices can be sustained over time. he also highlighted the need to reduce the burden on teachers by collaborating with the private sector and providing them with adequate time for creative educational activities.

Mizukawa concluded by expressing his gratitude for Mercari’s efforts and his hope that these initiatives will inspire children to become active and engaged members of society.

Revolutionizing Education: Gifu City’s Forward-Thinking Approach

gifu City is taking bold steps to prepare its students for the future by embedding the principles of the circular economy directly into the curriculum. This innovative approach, spearheaded by a collaboration with Mercari, aims to foster a generation of environmentally conscious and resourceful citizens. The initiative focuses on practical applications of reuse,promoting CE (Circular Economy) commerce,and leveraging technology to enhance learning experiences.

integrating Reuse and Circular Economy Principles

The partnership with Mercari is proving instrumental in bringing circular economy concepts to life within Gifu City’s schools. One notable example is the introduction of Mercari Shops in Gifu City, coupled with educational delivery classes at Noritake Elementary School. These initiatives provide students with firsthand exposure to the benefits of reuse and the workings of a circular economy.This hands-on experience is crucial, as studies show that practical learning significantly improves retention and understanding of complex concepts.

By engaging students directly with the principles of reuse and CE commerce, we are fostering a sense of responsibility and innovation that will serve them well in the future.

noritake Elementary: A Case Study in Innovation

Noritake Elementary School in Gifu City stands as a prime example of how technology and innovative teaching methods can transform education. Seiya Mitsuhashi,a teacher specializing in social studies,is at the forefront of this transformation.Building on his previous experience promoting programming education, Mitsuhashi is now focusing on information education, programming education, and ICT (Information and Communication Technology) education.His acquisition of the Roilo Lecture design Trainer qualification has further contributed to Gifu City’s recognition as a Loilonote local government,highlighting the city’s commitment to cutting-edge educational tools.

Kenji Toyama, the principal of Noritake Elementary School, emphasizes the importance of integrating these new technologies and approaches into the existing curriculum. With a background in Japanese language subjects and extensive experience in Gifu Prefecture’s educational system, Toyama is well-equipped to guide the school through this period of innovation.

Leadership Perspectives: Shaping the Future of Education

Key figures within Gifu City’s educational administration are driving this transformative change. Kaoru Noda, Secretary-General of the Gifu City Board of Education, brings a wealth of experience from various departments within the city hall, including planning, welfare, and administration. Noda’s leadership is crucial in implementing the city’s vision for a more sustainable and technologically advanced education system.

Furthermore, the insights of experts from Mercari, such as Ayaka Fujii and Satoshi Ota, are invaluable in shaping the direction of this partnership.Fujii,currently on temporary training at Mercari from Gifu City Hall,is actively involved in promoting reuse and CE commerce. Ota,on temporary assignment from the Ministry of Education,Culture,Sports,Science and Technology,is focused on promoting Mercari Education and fostering research activities.

The Broader Impact: Preparing Students for a Circular Economy

Gifu city’s commitment to integrating circular economy principles into education reflects a growing global trend.As resources become increasingly scarce and environmental concerns intensify, the need for a circular economy becomes more pressing. By equipping students with the knowledge and skills to participate in this new economic model, Gifu city is not only preparing them for future careers but also fostering a sense of environmental stewardship.

This initiative serves as a model for other municipalities looking to embrace sustainability and innovation in education. By fostering partnerships between local governments and private sector companies like Mercari, communities can create unique learning opportunities that benefit both students and the environment.