Educational Crossroads: Leaving Primary School in Japan and TT
As I prepare to say goodbye to Japan after five enriching years, my thoughts gravitate towards the diverse education systems that have shaped the young minds I've encountered. One striking contrast emerges when comparing the experiences of my Japanese 6th graders embarking on their secondary school journey with the realities faced by their counterparts in Trinidad and Tobago (TT). In Japan, the transition to secondary school is marked by considerations of sports offerings, location, and a desire for a change of pace. Many of my kids chose schools because they offered baseball or they had a strong tennis team. Conversations with Japanese students revealed a sense of relaxation and a lack of the overwhelming pressure associated with decisions that seem to shape their entire future. This stands in stark contrast to the scenario in TT, where students navigate a system heavily influenced by the Secondary Entrance Assessment (SEA). Our students are choosing schools as we truly believe,