News Minatoku to send junior HS students overseas

A new wave of "internationalisation"? Tokyo's Minato Ward decided to send its public junior high school students overseas instead of the usual school trips to Kyoto or Nara.

Minato Ward in central Tokyo has decided to send its public junior high school students to Singapore on their school trips next year, aiming to nurture their international experience. Ward officials say it will be the first municipality in Tokyo to choose an overseas destination for school trips for public junior high students. Until this fiscal year, the ward's school trip program has focused on exploring the ancient cities of Kyoto and Nara.

Click to expand...

All third-year students at its junior high schools, including those in special needs classes, will be eligible for overseas trips. About 760 students are expected to travel to Singapore for five days from around June to September next year. Ward officials hope to allow students to brush up their English conversation skills and broaden their international perspectives by immersing themselves in different cultures. The ward has been trying to strengthen its English education for students, starting with first-graders at elementary schools.

Good idea.