Today and yesterday were quite different. Instead of going to my usual work,  I went to a public elementary school here where around 80 kids are currently enrolled (the biggest number of Filipino students in a public elementary school in this city, so far).  I joined my co-trainee, Andreia, a school teacher, in observing classes, particularly special classes for foreign students from Brazil and the Philippines. 

Below are few of my notes and impressions, based on the information I've gathered and seen and experienced first hand. The school is a 35-year old infrastructure, so the building and the facilities are quite old, but in terms of discipline and cleanliness, wish ko sana ganito din ang mga pampublikong eskwulehan natin sa Pinas:

1. In addition to regular classes, this school holds special classes for foreign students from the Philippines and Brazil, who cannot understand and speak Japanese language very well or are just beginning to learn Japanese. In a special class composed of 10-12 children, there are two teachers assigned, along with 3-4 school assistants who also serve as interpreter for the kids (Portuguese and Tagalog);

2. The school has its own swimming pool where regular swimming classes are being held every summer season (I've learned that all public elementary and junior high schools here in Japan have swimming pool facilities);

3. Lunch is provided by the school and served inside the classroom by the children themselves - this is for the following reasons:

 * to ensure proper nutrition (menu comes with soup and daily supply of fresh milk). While in school, children do not have access to any junk food (sana ganito sa Pinas!)

  *to teach and train children table manners and discipline and give them sense of duty and responsibility  (kids are trained to clean up after eating, to arrange and stack neatly the used plates and chopsticks and segregate their wastes properly)

NOTE: On my second day, I was informed that I can have lunch with the children inside the classroom but since I'm bringing my own bento (baon) I instead ate at the pantry together with other faculty staff. Hindi pwede na kasalo mo ang mga bata at may dala kang sweets or iba ung kinakain mo. Ehe). 

4. For all teachers and faculty staff who are having lunch inside the pantry and are not joining the kids inside the classrooms, they, too, eat the same meals. After lunch, they (including the principal) clean up and stack their own trays, put back the utensils, segregate wastes properly , etc.

Note: and because I'm bringing my own bento, I was obliged to keep my own trash inside my bag because the waste bins provided at the pantry are only intended for the cover of the fresh milk bottles and other expected wastes generated from the assigned menu that day...ay... Kaloka haha

5. Inside the classroom, all bags are properly arranged in a cabinet at the back portion. (btw, they have standard school bags here) and all water bottles/containers are properly arranged at one side  of the classroom. Children are not allowed to drink every now and then especially while having class (except of course during emergency cases, I think. Ehe)

6. Children are trained to stand up and say the usual lines in Japanese before and after each class (usual lines at the end of the class contain words of thank you for the lesson/learning) 

7. Take off your shoes. This is observed not only in Japanese homes but also in schools. They have shoe rack at the entrance. This is same with school children. They have their separate shoe cabinet and bicycle parking space. 

Without mentioning the quality of education in public schools here, indeed the list reflects the efforts of Japanese schools to uphold discipline, and instill discipline in children. Sugoi desu ne.