School Refusal

May 3, 2002

According to an article in the Japan Times students who refuse to attend school are on the rise in Japan. As it is becoming a more common problem, a more public effort is being made to cope with it. Until, I lived in Japan, it had never occurred to me that one could simply decide not to go to school. But, we used it to our advantage.

Monday March 26, 1990

Spring break begins. This is the end of term for JQS. He won't be going back to Kamegawa Elementary school after this. I know, from experience listening to problems in Murakami-sensei's homeroom, that some children simply refuse to go to school. However, I decided to put a good face on it, and explained it thus. JQS has finished fifth grade. In America, the school year begins in September not April. When he returns to America this summer, he will be starting the sixth grade in September. Therefore, he does not need to begin the sixth grade here.

I really don't have any idea how all of this is translated and understood, but I think that everyone involved is relieved to have a solution to the difficulties of keeping JQS in school. Murakami-sensei has one less liaison issue as she no longer has to act as go-between and translator in my dealings with JQS's teacher and principal. JQS's teacher no longer has the responsibility for thinking up things for JQS to do (not that he ever did anything but sit him in the back of the room and ignore him). JQS is deliriously happy not to have to face the bullies and the daily boredom. And I'm happy because he now has a chance to have some good memories of Japan and not come away from the experience scarred for life.

Posted by M Sinclair Stevens
March 26, 2002

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