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日本の小中学校は夏休み終盤、早い所では2学期が始まっており、「また、学校と塾の日々が始まるのかあ」と嘆いている子どもも多いことでしょう。一方、中国では「塾禁止令」ともいえる政策が7月下旬、政府から打ち出されたとの報道がありました。日本の子どもたちから見れば、「うらやましいなあ」と思ってしまいそうな政策ですが、背景には中国社会が抱える大きな問題があるようです。
どのような政策なのでしょうか。ノンフィクション作家で中国社会情勢専門家の青樹明子さんに聞きました。
教育費負担抑え、少子化対策に
Q.今回、中国政府が出した政策とは、どのようなものでしょうか。
青樹さん「中国では『双減政策』、あるいは『双減』と呼ばれています。双減、つまり、2つを減らす政策で、子どもたちが通う『塾』と、学校で課す『宿題』にさまざまな規制をかけるものです。塾については特に厳しく、保護者と教育界に激震が走りました。
まず、学習塾の新規開業は認可しない。既存の学習塾は非営利組織として新たに登記させる。学習塾は上場できず、外国企業の参入も認めない。週末、祝日、夏休み、冬休みの授業は禁止。小学校入学前の塾も厳禁。インターネット授業も以前は届け出制だったのですが、許可制になりました。
学習塾の先生たちは有名な国公立小中学校の教師によるアルバイトが多いのですが、塾がなくなると豊富な収入を得る場が失われます。有名な学校の先生は塾のアルバイトだけで家が買えるくらいだったのですが、それも不可能になりました。これからは補講（学外授業）が見つかると解雇にもつながります。また、中国にもカリスマ的な塾講師もいたのですが、彼らは失業の危機にあるようです。
中国では、学習塾が巨大なマーケットで大手企業が育っていました。それが突然、非営利団体にさせられたわけです。塾の費用はとても高いのですが、それでも親たちは捻出してきました。中国政府は『教育費が生む格差を是正する意図もある』としています」
Q.宿題に関しては。
青樹さん「義務教育の範囲でいうと、小学1、2年生には主要教科の宿題は出さず、学校内での時間で学習を全部終えさせる、小学3年から6年は1時間以内で終えられる量、中学生は90分以内で終わらせられる量にするよう求めています。中国の保護者は子どもの宿題の面倒を見るのが一般的なのですが、『保護者が宿題チェックをしてはいけない』という指示も出ています」
Q.塾の方が特に厳しいとのことですが、理由や背景について教えてください。
青樹さん「少子化対策の一環といえます。現代の中国では家庭の教育費の負担がとても大きく、『2人目、3人目の子どもなんてとても無理』という親が多いため、その状況を打破したいようです。中国は一人っ子政策を廃止しましたが、少子化傾向は続いています。高齢化のスピードが世界で最も速いといわれる日本を中国がしのぐのは確実だと言われています。
政府は、このままでは労働人口が減少し、経済発展に影響して、アメリカとの競争に負けてしまうと懸念しています。『2人目を産んでいいですよ』と言っても産まない。3人目を認める政策を打ち出しても多分産まない。なぜか。私の友人の中国人は『住宅費と教育費の問題を解決しないと子どもを安心して産めない』と話しています。
住宅費の高騰も深刻なのですが、今回は教育費に焦点を当てたということです。金持ちは金持ちなりに教育費を出し、低所得者も低所得者なりにお金をかけるので、みんな負担が大きいのです。例えば、地方に住む低所得層の父親は3000元（約5万円）の月給のうち、子どもの教育に1000元をかけ、ほかの地方に住む、小学校の先生をしている母親は3歳の子どもの学習塾代に、自分の給料の3分の1を費やしているそうです。
こんなにお金がかかるなら2人目は不可能、教育費の負担が大きいというのが国民の認識です。政府は『子どもにお金と手間がかかりすぎている現状を改めないと少子化は解決しない』と考えているようです」
Q.塾がなくなったり、宿題が減ったりしたら、子どもは喜ぶのではないでしょうか。
青樹さん「うれしいようですね。ある新聞で、小学生の男の子が取材に答えていました。サッカーが大好きな男の子で『夏休みに塾がなくなって、楽しくてしょうがない』と。母親から、サッカーのサマーキャンプに参加してもいいと言われたそうです。
この子はそれまで、学校の宿題がとても多くて、宿題だけで時間を費やし、サッカーが大好きなのに寝る前のほんの一瞬、住宅の階段の下でボールを蹴るくらいだったそうです。1週間のほとんどが塾。それが今、塾がなくなり、『今年の夏は最も幸せな夏休みだ！』と喜んでいました」
早くも「抜け道」探し
Q.親たちの反応はどうでしょうか。
青樹さん「二極分化しています。先述した男の子の母親は『じゃあ、塾をやめよう』となったのですが、『塾が中止されても、学外教育はやめさせない』という親の方が多いです。ある母親は、双減政策の前は毎日、娘の学校が終わると、塾に車で送る生活だったと話していました。
国語、算数、英語、ピアノ。塾が終わるまで外で待つのですが、夏は車の中が暑くなるので、折り畳みのいすを持参して、外で待つ生活を何年も続けたそうです。その母親はメディアの取材で『双減政策で負担がなくなったのでは？』と問われ、『とんでもない！』と即否定。彼女が最初にやったことは、成績のレベルが似通っている子どもを探して、家庭教師を雇ったそうです。
裕福な家庭は1対1の家庭教師を頼むのですが、すべての家庭がそんな費用を出せるわけではありません。有名校の先生を雇うために、2人とか3人とか、ミニグループで先生を依頼するわけです。塾よりは費用が高くなりますが、成績を維持するために、学外教育をやめることは考えなかったとのことです」
Q.塾禁止令は中国の教育を変えるのでしょうか。
青樹さん「中国には『上に政策あれば、下に対策あり』という言葉があります。政府がどんなことを決めても、みんな対策というか、抜け道を考えるという意味です。例えば、英語の塾が書店に変わった事例があります。店長は塾の校長先生だった人です。月額800元（約1万3500円）で貸本をするのですが、中国の本はそんなに高くありません。
元校長先生は『うちはサービスが超一流。本を貸し出すときに講義がおまけについてくる。英語の本を借りて、分からない所があったら、服務員に聞けばいい』と話します。服務員は塾の先生だった人というからくりです。カフェのテーブルに生徒が集まり、スマホを見ている光景も増えたそうです。イヤホンを付けて、一見、自習しているように見えるのですが、実は画面では先生が講義中。オンライン授業です。
このような抜け道が既にいくつか生まれています。中国では、学歴が人生を変えるといわれています。子どもたちは生まれたときから、いい大学に入るための運命の2日間、全国統一の大学入試『高考』を目指して猛勉強を強いられます。これが変わらない限り、いくら教育改革といっても変わりません」
Q.では、今回の「双減政策」では、実質的には何も変わらないということでしょうか。
青樹さん「いいえ。私の個人的な見方かもしれませんが、10代、20代の若者たちが徐々に常識を変えていくのではないかと思います。スポーツの世界の話ですが、東京五輪の卓球競技で、日本人選手に敗れて号泣する中国代表の選手に『結果はどうあれ、あなたたちは中国の誇り』という声が上がりました。
2016年のリオ五輪では、水泳で決勝進出を決めた中国の女子選手にインタビュアーが『決勝でもっといいタイムを出せそうですね』と水を向けると、彼女は『私はこのレース（準決勝）で全力を尽くしたから満足です』と答えたのです。こうした反応は、過去の中国ではなかったことです。
『何がなんでも金メダル！』『中国が1番になるんだ！』という風潮が若者の間では薄くなっているようです。『全力を尽くした（洪荒之力）』は2016年の流行語になりました。1990年代、2000年代生まれの若者が中国社会の中枢を占めるようになると、教育の世界でも、科挙以来の学力を絶対視する伝統的な考え方が変わっていくかもしれません。若者たちが少しずつ、中国社会を変えていく可能性はあります」
From Microsoft News
「China's ban on cram schools sends shocks through parents and the education community What are the major social issues behind the ban?」
In Japan, elementary and junior high schools are in the final stages of summer vacation, and in some places, the second semester has already started, and many children are probably lamenting the fact that they will have to start their school and cram school days all over again. On the other hand, in China, it was reported that the government announced a policy that could be called a "cram school ban" in late July. Looking at it from the perspective of Japanese children, it may seem like an enviable policy, but it seems that there are major problems facing Chinese society in the background.
What kind of policy is it? We asked Akiko Aoki, a non-fiction writer and expert on China's social situation.
Reducing the burden of education costs to counter the declining birthrate
Q. What kind of policy has the Chinese government announced this time?
Aoki: "In China, it's called the 'twin reduction policy' or 'twin reduction. It is a policy to reduce the number of cram schools for children and homework assignments at schools. The policy is particularly strict on cram schools, and has caused a tremor among parents and the education industry.
First, new cram schools will not be allowed to open. Existing cram schools will be required to register as new non-profit organizations. Cram schools cannot be listed on a stock exchange, and foreign companies are not allowed to enter. Classes on weekends, holidays, summer and winter vacations will be prohibited. Cramming before entering elementary school is also strictly prohibited. Internet classes used to have to be reported, but now they have to be permitted.
Many of the teachers at cram schools are part-time teachers from famous national and public elementary and junior high schools, but if the cram schools disappear, they will lose a rich source of income. Famous school teachers used to be able to buy a house just by working part-time at cram schools, but that is no longer possible. From now on, being found teaching supplementary classes (off-campus classes) will also lead to dismissal. There were also charismatic tutors in China, but they seem to be in danger of losing their jobs.
In China, cram schools were a huge market and major companies were growing up. All of a sudden, they were forced to become non-profit organizations. The cost of cram schools is very high, but parents have been able to raise the money. The Chinese government says that it is partly intended to correct the disparity created by the cost of education.
Q. What about homework?
Aoki: "In terms of compulsory education, first and second graders are not required to do homework in major subjects, but are required to complete all their studies in school hours. It is common for parents in China to take care of their children's homework, but there are also instructions that 'parents should not check homework.
Q. You said that cram schools are particularly strict. Could you tell us about the reasons and background?
Mr. Aoki: "It can be said to be a part of measures to counter the declining birthrate. In today's China, the burden of educational expenses on families is so great that many parents say, 'I can't afford to have a second or third child,' so they want to break through that situation. China has abolished its one-child policy, but the birthrate continues to decline. It is said that China is sure to surpass Japan, which is said to have the fastest aging population in the world.
The government is concerned that if this trend continues, the working population will decline, which will affect economic development and make the country lose out to the United States. If you say, "You can have a second child," they won't. If you propose a policy to allow a third child, they probably won't. Why? Why is that? A Chinese friend of mine said, "If we don't solve the problems of housing and education costs, people won't be able to have children with peace of mind.
The rising cost of housing is also serious, but this time the focus is on the cost of education. The rich pay for education in their own way, and the low-income people also spend money in their own way, so everyone has a heavy burden. For example, a low-income father in a rural area spends 1,000 yuan out of his 3,000 yuan monthly salary on his child's education, while a mother who is an elementary school teacher in another rural area spends one-third of her salary on cram school for her three-year-old child.
The public is aware that it is impossible to have a second child if it costs so much, and that the burden of educational expenses is too great. The government seems to think, 'If we don't change the current situation where too much money and effort are spent on children, the declining birthrate will not be solved.
Q. Wouldn't children be happy if there were no more cram schools or less homework?
Mr. Aoki: "I think they would be happy. In one of the newspapers, there was an interview with an elementary school boy. He loves soccer and said, "I'm so happy that I don't have to cram during the summer vacation. His mother told him that he could attend a soccer summer camp.
Most of his week was spent cramming. Most of the week was spent cramming, but now there was no cramming, and he was happy, "This summer is the happiest summer vacation I've ever had! He was so happy.
Looking for "loopholes" already
Q. How do you think the parents will react?
Mr. Aoki: "There are two extremes. The mother of the boy mentioned above said, 'Well, let's stop the cram school,' but there are more parents who said, 'Even if the cram school is canceled, I won't let them stop the off-campus education. One mother told me that before the twin reduction policy, she used to drive her daughter to the cram school every day after school.
Japanese, math, English, and piano. She waited outside until the cram school was over, but in the summer it got too hot in the car, so she brought a folding chair and waited outside for many years. The mother was interviewed by the media and asked, "Didn't the twin reduction policy eliminate the burden? No way! She immediately denied it. The first thing she did was to find children with similar grades and hire tutors.
Wealthy families order one-on-one tutoring, but not all families can afford it. In order to hire a teacher from a famous school, they would ask for a teacher in a mini-group, like two or three people. It is more expensive than cram school, but they did not think of stopping off-campus education to maintain their grades.
Q. Do you think the ban on cram schools will change education in China?
Aoki: "In China, there is a saying, 'If there are policies at the top, there are measures at the bottom. It means that no matter what the government decides, everyone will come up with a countermeasure or a loophole. For example, there was a case where an English cram school turned into a bookstore. The manager of the store was the former principal of the cram school. He lends books for 800 yuan (about 13,500 yen) per month, but books are not that expensive in China.
The former principal said, "Our service is top-notch. When we lend out books, lectures come as an added bonus. If you borrow an English book and don't understand something, you can ask the service staff. It's a joke that the janitor used to be a teacher at a cram school. I heard that the number of students gathering at café tables and looking at their phones had increased. At first glance, they look like they are studying on their own with earphones attached, but in fact, the teacher is lecturing on the screen. It is an online class.
Some of these loopholes have already been created. In China, it is said that education changes your life. From the time they are born, children are forced to study intensely for the nationally standardized university entrance exam "Gaokao," two days of destiny to get into a good university. As long as this does not change, no amount of educational reform will make a difference.
Q. So, does this "twin reduction policy" mean that practically nothing will change?
Mr. Aoki: "No, it doesn't. It may be my personal view, but I think that young people in their teens and twenties will gradually change their common sense. In the world of sports, during the table tennis competition at the Tokyo Olympics, a Chinese player who cried after losing to a Japanese player was greeted with the words, 'No matter the result, you are the pride of China.
At the 2016 Rio Olympics, when an interviewer turned the water on a Chinese female swimmer who had made it to the finals of the swimming competition, saying, 'I think you can do better in the finals,' she replied, 'I'm satisfied because I gave my all in this race (the semifinals). This is something that has never happened in the past in China.
'Gold medal at any cost! China is going to be number one! It seems that this trend is fading among the youth. As young people born in the 1990s and 2000s come to occupy the core of Chinese society, the traditional mindset of absolute academic achievement may change in the world of education. There is a possibility that these young people will gradually change Chinese society.
From Microsoft News
