No.186-2
Introduction of Committees’Activities-Part 5-
UNESCO School Administration Committee
Latest News about UNECO School
The Constitution of UNESCO says that "Ignorance of each other's
ways and lives has been a common cause, throughout the history of mankind,
of suspicion and mistrust between the peoples of the world, and these differences
have all too often resulted in war." The UNESCO School (see the note
below) is run with an aim of contributing to world peace and prosperity
through international understanding and exchange. We give Japanese lessons
on Tuesdays and Wednesdays to the families living in a Higashigaoka Sou
apartment. These people are orphans who returned to Japan after having
been left behind in China during the final days of World War II. We are
trying to help them master correct Japanese as soon as possible so that
they can spend their daily lives smoothly and live a life full of hope.
To that end, it is important to manage the school valuing both quality
and quantity as well as treating each person considerately.
The number of adult students is getting smaller due to fewer orphans
and their families returning to Japan, and also the deteriorating learning
environment caused by the severe social situation. It is important to come
up with a long-term strategy and an ingenious plan to accommodate this
particular set of circumstances. We have gone through various situations
in the past, and we must continue our tradition of success for the future.
On that account, we need more support from members and we would appreciate
your participation.
In addition to those adult classes, UNESCO School provides after-school
tutoring sessions for about 20 grade school children, plus junior and senior
high school students. This Spring, five of them got into junior high school,
two into senior high school and one graduated from senior high school.
The Spring has brought hope to each of them. On March 25th during the Spring
holidays, some of them engaged in sorting unused post card
s in the NFUAJ Office to experience volunteer activities and to learn from
social activities. They spent a worthwhile half-day sorting about 9,500
post cards. We would like to implement multi-faceted learning in UNESCO
School by taking up various work-study programs rather than just being
confined to supplementing school education. We are looking forward to further
cooperation from each member.
The picture at the top shows a happy scene at a jiao-zi (or steam-baked
meat pie) party
The picture at the bottom shows people sorting a mountain of post cards
in the NFUAJ Office.
(Ms. Michiyo Shoji, Ms. Hanako Kudo, Ms. Fumiko Harada, Ms. Ai Yamamoto,
Ms. Anna Tsuchiya.)
Note: Meguro UNESCO School was founded in 1954 for Japanese women and children
with an aim to inspire the UNESCO spirit of international understanding,
wholeheartedly valuing culture and developing a loving peace in the hearts
of children who will shoulder the next generation. At present, the school
gives Japanese language education in cooperation with Meguro Board of Education
and the Higashine-Jyuku Resident Council for the families of orphans who
returned to Japan after having been left behind in China during the final
days of World War II.
Mr. Takashi Saito, Chairperson of UNESCO School Administration Committee