The Japanese educational system emphasizes discipline, focusing on quiet and obedient

behavior, which contributes to students performing well in international exams, particularly in

mathematics. Japan is admired for having low crime rates and well-behaved youth.

Education is free and compulsory for children aged 6 to 15, with a school year consisting of 243
days. The curriculum includes Japanese language, social studies, math, science, art, music,
home economics, and physical education, with significant focus on the Japanese language.

The education system is divided into five levels: kindergarten, elementary (six years), lower
secondary (three years), upper secondary (three years), and university (around four years).
Elementary education lasts from Grade 1 to Grade 6, with most teachers being female. In lower
secondary, most teachers are male, with class sizes averaging 38 students and periods lasting
50 minutes. Upper secondary schools offer academic and technical education.

JAPAN

In Japan, teachers are expected to infuse cultural values throughout school activities including
student’s lives, both in school or even at home and community.

Japanese teachers are an essential element in the success story of the country. Major
responsibilities are entrusted upon the teachers for moral education and character development
and for instilling values, attitudes and living habits in students at all levels. Teachers are
expected to infuse cultural values throughout school activities including student’s lives, both in
school or even at home and community.

Ever since teaching has been an attractive profession in terms of status. The appeal of the
teaching career has heightened because of increase in remuneration. According to the Global
Teacher Status Index in 2013, the average annual salary of teachers in Japanese is equivalent
to $43,775.00 annually, which is second to Singapore.

Teaching is one of few lifetime professional career opportunities readily available to women in
Japan. Ninety percent of the new teachers have four year college degrees with most having
majored in other areas than education. They fill up one third of the openings in the elementary
level, two thirds at the lower secondary level, and nearly nine-tenths at the upper secondary
level.

Teacher Certification in Japan

There are different legal requirements for certification to teach in the pre-school, elementary
school, lower secondary school and upper secondary school.

First class certificate is issued to teach in the preschool, elementary or secondary teachers with
basic qualification of having earned a Bachelor’s Degree. To teach in the upper secondary level,
the basic qualification is a Master’s degree.
Second Class Certificate has a basic qualification of 2 years of study (62 credit units) in a
university or other post-secondary institution. While to teach in the

secondary level, without a Master’s degree, the Second Class Certificate will be issued.

In addition to the length of study and degree qualifications, prospective teachers must earn a
prescribed number of credits in education studies and in the subjects to be taught.

Becoming Employed as a Teacher

Most of the public school teachers are prefectural employees even if they teach in municipal
schools. Prefectures play an important role in the selection and hiring of teachers. In addition to
completing a degree, the teacher applicant must secure a license to teach from the prefectural
board of education. A license awarded by any prefecture is valid in all prefectures. However,
applicant is required to take prefectural appointment examinations.

A prefectural appointment examination is given in two stages. First stage, consists of written
tests in general education and specialized fields and skills test for P.E., Music and Art. All
applicants for lower secondary teaching jobs are required to take a test in physical fitness.
Second stage consists of interviews.

Age is a very important consideration for teacher applicants. More than one half of the
prefectures require applicants to be under the age of 30. But once the applicants gain entry to
the teaching profession, they are assured of lifetime employment. They are promoted
essentially on the basis of seniority, as in all public sector and most major private corporation
employment. Because of the lifetime employment policy, all prefectural and municipal boards of
education are very careful in selecting new teachers. Dismissals are extremely rare and
normally occur only for unethical conduct.

Teachers are rotated from one school to another within the prefecture on various schedules.

United States of America

The American Educational System has greatly influenced the Philippine Educational System
specifically the making of the Filipino teacher. The coming of the first American teachers called
the Thomasites and the opening of the normal schools in different provinces of the country
provided a very strong foundation for teacher education.

The Japanese educational system emphasizes discipline, focusing on quiet and obedient
behavior, which contributes to students performing well in international exams, particularly in
mathematics. Japan is admired for having low crime rates and well-behaved youth.
Education is free and compulsory for children aged 6 to 15, with a school year consisting of 243
days. The curriculum includes Japanese language, social studies, math, science, art, music,
home economics, and physical education, with significant focus on the Japanese language.

The education system is divided into five levels: kindergarten, elementary (six years), lower
secondary (three years), upper secondary (three years), and university (around four years).
Elementary education lasts from Grade 1 to Grade 6, with most teachers being female. In lower
secondary, most teachers are male, with class sizes averaging 38 students and periods lasting
50 minutes. Upper secondary schools offer academic and technical education.

Teacher Status Overview

Social Status of Teachers:

Two-thirds of surveyed countries equate the status of teachers to that of social workers (e.g.,
Germany, Italy, Spain, Switzerland, Netherlands).
In the USA, Brazil, France, Turkey, teaching is aligned with librarians, while in New Zealand, it's
similar to nursing.
Only China compares teachers most closely to doctors.
Generally, primary/elementary school teachers hold a higher regard than secondary school
teachers.
Encouragement for Teaching Profession:

50% of parents in China encourage their children to become teachers, similar to those in South
Korea, Turkey, and Egypt.
Parents in Israel, Portugal, Brazil, and Japan are less likely to encourage this path for their
children.
Pupil Respect for Teachers:

In China, 75% of respondents believe students respect their teachers, versus a 27% average in
other countries.
Turkey, Egypt, and Singapore show high levels of pupil respect for teachers.

A table listing average actual teacher salaries (in USD) for several countries. Notable figures
include $17,730 in China, $43,874 in South Korea, and $44,917 in the USA.
Most countries believe a fair teacher salary is similar to the actual pay received.
In Japan, France, and the USA, current salaries are considered higher than the fair rate.
The majority agree that teachers deserve higher pay.
There is a consensus that performance-related pay (PRP) should be based on student learning
outcomes, indicating a move towards linking teacher salaries with performance.
Lesson 2: A Closer Look at the Teachers and the Teaching Profession in the ASEAN and
Beyond. Is There a Difference?
belief that pupils respect teachers with an average
of 46%.

• Across Europe, there are higher levels of pessimism

about students' respect for teachers than in Asia and
the Middle East. In most of the European countries,
respondents thought that the pupils disrespect
teachers than respect them.

Perception of Teacher Reward

Below, is the average actual teacher salary in the
countries surveyed. The respondents were asked if the
current salary is too little, too much or just enough.

• Most countries judged a fair rate of pay as similar to

teacher's actual pay.

• In Japan, France and USA, the actual pay was judged

higher than the fair rate of salary.

• Majority of the countries think teachers ought to be

rewarded with higher pay than what they are presently
getting.

- Teacher certification process involves examinations and continuing education credits.

- Teacher salaries are determined by education, experience, and location, with some districts
offering merit pay.
- The definition of a "good" teacher varies between elementary and secondary school levels.
- Some teachers work additional jobs during the school year or summer.
- Teachers are expected to complete teaching during the term of their contract, with exceptions
for pregnancy, medical leaves, and unforeseen emergencies.

Teacher Agency and Control

The status of the teacher is also dependent on the people’s trust to deliver good education.

Trusting Teachers To Deliver Education. Based on the results of the survey:

No country gave a rating below 5, suggesting that all countries placed satisfactory to positive
trust in their teachers.
Finland and Brazil at the top of the table displaying strong trust in their teachers, while Israel,
Japan, South Korea and Egypt are at the bottom of the table, showing limited trust for their
teachers.
The Varkey GEMS Foundation (VGF) Index will be immensely valuable as a means of
stimulating debate on education reform-just as the publication of PISA data did at the turn of the
country. For this reason, the VGF index deserves recognition for the big impact their study has
made on future teachers on the Global Teacher Status Index.

Peter Dolton, Professor of Economics at Sussex University, one of the writers of the 2013
Global Teacher Status Index said:

“We find that there are major differences across countries in the way teachers are perceived by
the public. This informs who decides to become a teacher in each country, how they are
respected and how they are financially rewarded. Ultimately, this affects the kind of job they do
in teaching our children.”

Sunny Varkey, founder and trustee of Varkey GEMS Foundation said: It is my ambition that
teachers are treated with as much respect as doctors. Sadly in many countries around the
world, teachers no longer retain

Summary
The text discusses the perception and trust in teachers across 21 countries, emphasizing that
over 59% believe teacher pay should be performance-based. Finland and Brazil exhibit strong
trust in teachers, while Israel, Japan, South Korea, and Egypt show limited trust. The Varkey
GEMS Foundation Index is highlighted as important for education reform discussions. Professor
Peter Dolton notes significant international differences in teacher perception, affecting career
choice and respect. Sunny Varkey aspires for teachers to be as respected as doctors globally.