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Japanese PTAs: My not so brilliant career as a 'yakuin'

6 Comments
By Louise George Kittaka

April brings excitement and trepidation in equal measures for families in the Japanese school system as children start new schools or move up to a new class. Then, a few days into the school term comes the first class meeting for parents. After everyone introduces themselves, the teacher announces, “So, who would like to volunteer for the school PTA this year?” A roomful of chatty parents is suddenly rendered silent as everyone begins earnestly contemplating their navels.

OK, I have tried to be politically correct by saying “parents,” but who am I kidding? Even in this day and age when increasing number of Japanese moms are in the workforce, the vast majority of the people at these class meetings are women. While acknowledging that some dads do occasionally attend meetings and do take on PTA officer duties, I am going to say “mothers,” since it’s still invariably seen as a woman’s role.

You might think it strange that Japan uses the very English-sounding term “PTA,” but it is actually no coincidence as the concept was borrowed from the American Parent-Teachers’ Association. It was introduced after World War II as a way to involve parents in the running of schools. While the concept might be Western, however, the PTA is a microclimate of Japanese society.

My PTA debut

I found this out the hard way after volunteering to be one of the PTA officers, or yakuin, when my oldest child started first grade in elementary school. I had no previous experience in this role whatsoever. My son had attended a Japanese kindergarten where there were three basic rules about being a PTA officer: You were excused if you were working, pregnant or already had a younger child. I always qualified in at least two of these areas.

But things were about to change...

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© Savvy Tokyo

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6 Comments
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Thank you - this is interesting to read. I can only imagine how inconvenient and tricky to get through doing this is - kudos for volunteering more than once.

btw, can't eat natto or won't eat natto?

1 ( +1 / -0 )

Another reason I am glad we have no kids......

0 ( +3 / -3 )

I was involved with the PTA for over 6 years with my daughter and in the last two years was fuku-kaicho, it's a lot of work, but worth it for the parents who get involved.

My son had attended a Japanese kindergarten where there were three basic rules about being a PTA officer: You were excused if you were working, pregnant or already had a younger child. I always qualified in at least two of these areas.

Depends upon the school and not all rules are the same everywhere. It's being a representative, not officer, and it's voluntary. You come across as sounding as if it's mandatory, it isnt by any means, but if you feel pressured to join, that's something you have to deal with.

-1 ( +1 / -2 )

Just do what I did and flat out refuse to do it. We both work and have no time to deal with the petty goings-on that have to do with the PTA. Before our kids went to Primary school, friends and neighbours would tell us of how PTA would stress them out etc etc. One neighbour lost her hair so I refused to deal with that crap.

They tried to pull that "we will pull names out of a hat" and I said "Well, we just wont turn up as we will be working when the meetings are scheduled". But "How can you be working then" they said. My reply was "I have a business to run" AND that was the end of it.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

In relation to my experience of Japanese schools (my child is still in JHS as of today)... The PTA system in Japan is completely voluntary. Yet they imply it is mandatory. Just try leaving and you'll witness bullying and intimidation tactics against you and/or your children. FACT. Next, the fees you have to pay are a complete scam. FACT They are unaccounted for (they produce no accounts) money is siphoned off for activities that benefit 'some' the teachers (including entertainment and taxis). They pay for goods and services at businesses operated by their friends and family (i.e. kickbacks)... I have been through countless battles with the Japanese BOE and the local ward office. The whole PTA is antiquated and corrupt. Just try looking into the finances of your PTA and asks who offically manages the money. You might not like what you uncover...

0 ( +0 / -0 )

There is no need for a PTA. The "parent" of junior high students is the teacher. It makes no sense for a teacher to be required to go to sporting events on the weekends. School is not the "American Day Care" system.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

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