Specifically,we are working to reduce the number of compulsory subjects while increasing the number of elective subjects,so that all students are able to fully develop their respective capabilities. Furthermore,the system School Desi ated Subiects and Courses will be introduced where-by schools can independently develop original subjects and courses which are not part of the Courses of Study. In this way,through the implementation of the new Courses of Study at upper secondary schools,the educational content studied com-monly by all students will be reduced,but in fields where students have the desire to extend their individual capabilities,they will be able to study at a higher level. In addition,the use of the system of School Designated Subjects and Courses will enable even greater study. Another characteristic of the new Courses of Study is to ensure that each school is able to develop its own distinctive educational activities making use of original ideas and designs.
Schools are able to introduce more diversity in their school timetables.
Lesson time is no longer limited to50minutes per period. Rather,the designs of each school can allow for more diversity in the structure of lessons,with those involving experiments and practical learning lasting100minutes,and those which need teaching every day lasting25minutes. All schools are obliged to organize and implement their cur-ricula based on the Courses of Study. The author of this novel moved many peoplein her description of the contact between ateacher and her students. From that spot,at a distance of about600m ina public square,there now exists the Nijuyonno Hitomi statue,built at the location for thefilm version of Nijuyon no Hitomi in1987.