Japanese schools do not have janitors or cleaning staff. Is that true or false?

True, as the Japanese students clean the schools themselves. The Japanese consider school not only a place for learning from a book, but also a tool of educating responsible and independent society members. They are taught to take care of themselves since the very young age. To make cleaning easier, Japanese students put on slippers before entering the classroom to prevent dirt from being dragged into the room.

The process of cleaning may be pleasant and entertaining:

More Info: www.nytimes.com

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222 Comments

Nina Kamwene

What a concept! Teaching kids to be responsible and self sufficient.

Katherine Walker

American schools could learn a lot from foreign schools. I applaud them.

Marion Satlof Behar

Sounds like a great idea to me. You generally appreciate more what you have had to work for.

Henry Rex Bils

Could you send a class full of those 'eager beavers' to my place? It's a shame that American children learn things that have nothing to do with their upcoming adult lives. Home Economics should be a core class the same as Civics. Also 'Job Preparedness', as in writing a resume', mock Interviews, et al.

teamregan

One of the most admirable qualities of the Japanese culture is the importance of respect. And it applies to everything. It’s a way of life from which we could learn much. Or if you were lucky enough, and had a mother like mine, you learned it at home.

marykeim

Spoken like the true self entitled ugly American that you are. You could learn alot from this culture if you only OPENED you MIND!!!

Ladybug LaPorta

Correct, Debbie, which is why the answer is "True."

Jean R. Pierremont

We should have that here in America the kids would have less energy and time to disrespect their teachers and we would have a cleaner America.

Ajay Patel

Why do people miss the point and argue about the stupidest things? As long as question provokes me to learn something interesting or useful, I'm good. This is not life and death people. Have fun. Who cares about score. Geez.

Toto

The idea of the children learning to be good citizens is wonderful

muddy

Henry Rex Bils, they do it in schools here in Aus.

ron

One of the traditions of the Japanese education system is that students do o-soji (cleaning). However, it’s been in print more than once that Japanese schools have no janitors because students do all the cleaning. That’s simply not true. Japanese schools have non-teaching staff called yomushuji, or shuji for short.

Divinity Joha

Never been to public school, but American schools have a lot to learn.

cgrhm

you mean they don't drink and smoke in the bathrooms? they clean up after themselves? how uncool.

Player

Ummm something American children could learn

Sumofluv

This is just one of the things American schools should be doing instead of teaching children how to change their gender.

renoskip

However, it's been in print more than once that Japanese schools have no janitors because students do all the cleaning. That's simply not true. Japanese schools have non-teaching staff called yomushuji, or shuji for short.

Jackie

I bet the kids here would not mess things up half as much if they thought they have to tidy it up!

Beejay♥️♥️

This is a superb idea. I commend them.

Doc

If you Google this question, you will receive the totally opposite answer! According to Google, Japanese students are taught to help with the cleaning at the school, but Jananese schools also have janitorial staff.

Cloverspang

Marion Satlof Behar, and better respect it by not trashing it cuz they'll have to clean it up! 😉

Missdiagnosed

williamccollins, it ISa big deal nowadays!!! Imagine that!!! Child labor, they would say. Bunch of spoiled brats.

Mysreader

That was a tough call for me, as I knew the Japanese have that ethic, but I can't believe there are no maintenance staff for some jobs that would be beyond some elementary level children.