Education representatives invited on Japanese trip

Representatives from Orkney Islands Council are headed to Japan this week, after being invited on a trip to find out more about the Japanese education system.

The three representatives will join 17 other education delegates from across Scotland on the trip, which has been organised and paid for by the Japan Foundation to celebrate and support the growing links between Japan and Scotland.

The trip will take place from 10th February – February 18 2017 and gives participants the chance to learn more about Japan and its education system.

The week-long trip involves visiting three areas, Tokyo, Kamaishi City in Iwate Prefecture as well as Kyoto. Participants will take part in a wide range of activities, including lectures about the relationship between Scotland and Japan, discussions to facilitate cultural exchange with Japanese educational leaders, school visits, a visit to the area struck by The Great East Japan Earthquake in 2011, as well as cultural experiences in Kyoto.

Chair of the Education, Leisure and Housing Committee Councillor Harvey Johnston, is one of those heading on the trip. He said: “This is an amazing opportunity to experience and learn from a country which is consistently in the top two in the world in terms of educational attainment, and It will also enable us to build on Orkney's special relationship with Kamaishi Superscience High-school.

“Anything that can further an understanding of the language and culture of other peoples is to be encouraged, particularly in these times, and of course I'll do my best to give them a taste of Orkney culture and language as well. I'm really looking forward to it.”

In August 2015, Orkney played host to a delegation from Japan including two senior representatives from the Japanese Government who came to see first-hand Orkney’s efforts to introduce Japanese language and culture to its pupils. This had seen Kirkwall Grammar offering timetabled Japanese classes, whilst pupils at Stromness Academy were offered Japanese lessons during their Friday afternoon ‘activities’ session.

Orkney’s efforts in introducing Japanese language and culture to its pupils had caught the eye of the Japan Foundation, Japan’s foremost cultural exchange and language body, which subsequently provided grants to both schools to support their programmes, and provided teaching materials.

A group of pupils from the Kamaishi Super Science School visited the school alongside Mr Tomoki Akazawa from the Japan Foundation and Mr Kengo Sawai, who was Vice-Consul General of Japan. This was the third visit from the Super Science School, with the visits facilitated and supported by local company Aquatera, who have continued to play a key role in building links between Orkney and Japan.

Executive Director of Education, Leisure and Housing, Wilfred Weir, and Service Improvement Officer, Graham Bevan, will also be attending the visit.