Utsunomiya City Promotes Work Style Reforms in Schools

Utsunomiya City Mayor Eiichi Sato and Superintendent of Education Shigeo Kobori have issued a joint message to promote understanding among parents and local residents about the city’s efforts to reform work styles in schools.

The message highlights the challenges faced by teachers and staff in meeting the diverse needs of students, resulting in long working hours and excessive workloads. This has become a significant issue, as it affects the ability of students to focus on their educational activities in a healthy state of mind and body.

While work style reforms, such as the digitalization of school affairs and improvements to daily schedules, have led to a decrease in overtime work by teaching staff, there is still a long way to go to resolve the issue. Some staff members continue to work long hours, and the city acknowledges that more needs to be done to address this problem.

The city is promoting reforms in school management, including coordinating and transferring club activities to the local community. At the same time, it is calling on parents and local residents to actively participate in volunteer activities, such as watching over children on their way to and from school and assisting with classes.

The joint message will be shared with parents through contact networks and neighborhood association circulars, aiming to raise awareness and encourage community involvement in supporting the city’s efforts to reform work styles in schools.