Because Japan does not have a strong tradition of local government, actual direction of the school system has devolved on the prefectures and the national Ministry of Education. The ministry drafts all laws on national educational standards and allots a great deal of financial aid to local districts. Local school boards are legally responsible for running elementary and lower secondary schools. The prefectures manage the upper secondary schools, special schools, teacher certification, and textbook selection. Prefectural boards are appointed.
Education is free in both the public schools and universities of France.
A typical French student begins preschool activities as early as the age of 2 and enters elementary school at 6. This is a controversial part of the French system be- cause of the young age at which career decisions must be made and because children of workers and farmers appear to have fewer opportunities to attend a lycee. Annie's Home Page. All Rights Reserved. I thank the Lord for graphics artists without them these pages would not be the same.