My Life: Interview with TV Director Yasuko Isono, Part 14
Jun. 26, 2013
Superintendent of Schools
by Takahiro Yamase, Staff Writer
Devoted to improving students’ academic ability
In October 1990, while sitting on the board of the Yamaguchi Broadcasting Company, Yasuko Isono was appointed a member of the board of education for the city of Iwakuni. Then, in April 2004, she assumed the post of superintendent.
I was excited when the offer came to serve as a member of the board of education. Previously, I had directed a series on early childhood education, which was broadcast in 15-minute segments over six months in 1978. Because I had come to recognize the importance of early childhood education, healthy life habits, and life-long education, I was interested in this chance to have direct contact with an educational environment. I felt thrilled to pursue a new professional challenge.
I received the offer from the mayor, by telephone, to become the superintendent of the board of education two weeks before I stepped into the role. The mayor wanted me to take advantage of the perspective I had from the private sector, and as a woman. Up to that point, there had never been a female superintendent in any municipality in Yamaguchi Prefecture. Back then, the schools were struggling with a range of difficult issues, including those involving textbooks. It felt like I was jumping right into hard times.
I put special emphasis on improving the students’ academic ability. But in the national achievement test administered in 2007, the elementary school students of Yamaguchi Prefecture received lower marks than the national average in Japanese and math. And Iwakuni schools, which I oversaw, were largely responsible for the poor results.
The superintendent of the Yamaguchi Prefectural Board of Education summoned me to his office and chewed me out for an hour. The results of the test, which was held for the first time in 43 years, were very poor for both the elementary school students and junior high school students of Iwakuni. I tried to explain the situation in the city, but he bellowed back three times as much as I spoke. Even without this reprimand, I felt keenly that something had to be done.
I took no time in visiting all 55 elementary and junior high schools in the city to observe the classes. The superintendent rarely visits schools in person to give guidance to the teachers, but the situation was too grave for the section heads of the education board to handle. Immediately after my class observations, I exchanged views with the teachers and principals. Because they told me they lacked funds for testing materials, I quickly allocated money for their needs.
Simply following the textbooks wouldn’t work. I argued that it was important to look into the students’ eyes to judge their response and, based on their response, to improve the teaching methods. A year or so later, the city’s scores on the national achievement test rose to the top of the prefecture.
In June 2010, Ms. Isono retired from her post as superintendent.
Children should be full of dreams during their school days. And yet, now, things like bullying and suicide have become rampant throughout the country and are hindering this happiness. Something is wrong. I hope children will regain the joy of learning in their hometowns.
In the speech I gave when I retired, I asked that principals develop the humanity of their students. I want children to cultivate their strength and seek their own direction for their lives. I believe the starting point for this lies in healthy life habits and capable academic ability.
(Originally published on December 22, 2010)
by Takahiro Yamase, Staff Writer
Devoted to improving students’ academic ability
In October 1990, while sitting on the board of the Yamaguchi Broadcasting Company, Yasuko Isono was appointed a member of the board of education for the city of Iwakuni. Then, in April 2004, she assumed the post of superintendent.
I was excited when the offer came to serve as a member of the board of education. Previously, I had directed a series on early childhood education, which was broadcast in 15-minute segments over six months in 1978. Because I had come to recognize the importance of early childhood education, healthy life habits, and life-long education, I was interested in this chance to have direct contact with an educational environment. I felt thrilled to pursue a new professional challenge.
I received the offer from the mayor, by telephone, to become the superintendent of the board of education two weeks before I stepped into the role. The mayor wanted me to take advantage of the perspective I had from the private sector, and as a woman. Up to that point, there had never been a female superintendent in any municipality in Yamaguchi Prefecture. Back then, the schools were struggling with a range of difficult issues, including those involving textbooks. It felt like I was jumping right into hard times.
I put special emphasis on improving the students’ academic ability. But in the national achievement test administered in 2007, the elementary school students of Yamaguchi Prefecture received lower marks than the national average in Japanese and math. And Iwakuni schools, which I oversaw, were largely responsible for the poor results.
The superintendent of the Yamaguchi Prefectural Board of Education summoned me to his office and chewed me out for an hour. The results of the test, which was held for the first time in 43 years, were very poor for both the elementary school students and junior high school students of Iwakuni. I tried to explain the situation in the city, but he bellowed back three times as much as I spoke. Even without this reprimand, I felt keenly that something had to be done.
I took no time in visiting all 55 elementary and junior high schools in the city to observe the classes. The superintendent rarely visits schools in person to give guidance to the teachers, but the situation was too grave for the section heads of the education board to handle. Immediately after my class observations, I exchanged views with the teachers and principals. Because they told me they lacked funds for testing materials, I quickly allocated money for their needs.
Simply following the textbooks wouldn’t work. I argued that it was important to look into the students’ eyes to judge their response and, based on their response, to improve the teaching methods. A year or so later, the city’s scores on the national achievement test rose to the top of the prefecture.
In June 2010, Ms. Isono retired from her post as superintendent.
Children should be full of dreams during their school days. And yet, now, things like bullying and suicide have become rampant throughout the country and are hindering this happiness. Something is wrong. I hope children will regain the joy of learning in their hometowns.
In the speech I gave when I retired, I asked that principals develop the humanity of their students. I want children to cultivate their strength and seek their own direction for their lives. I believe the starting point for this lies in healthy life habits and capable academic ability.
(Originally published on December 22, 2010)
