Concepts and Challenges of Afterschool Program Quality in Japan

Abstract

Abstract

This study examines concepts surrounding the quality of afterschool programs in Japan and related challenges using qualitative and quantitative methods. A content analysis of government guidelines for afterschool programs provided by the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare (MHLW) and the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT) is conducted, and the differences in the concepts of afterschool program quality (APQ) between them are explored. Second, using government statistics, the author looks at the current situation and systems of instructional features meant to improve quality. Third, the characteristics of the human resource development system of MEXT and MHLW for APQ are clarified using the social capital theory.

Keywords: quality, afterschool program, extended education, instructional features

-----

Bibliography: Kanefuji, Fuyuko: Concepts and Challenges of Afterschool Program Quality in Japan, IJREE – International Journal for Research on Extended Education, Vol. 8, Issue 2-2020, pp. 191-210.
https://doi.org/10.3224/ijree.v8i2.07

-----

Open Access License: This contribution is available in Open Access under the Creative Commons license CC BY 4.0 (Attribution 4.0 International) as of October 18, 2022. More information about the license and the terms of use can be found here.