Test Results for 3nensei

Although the 3nensei had their graduation ceremony a couple of days ago, today is the day they find out whether they got into the high schools of their choice. The 3nensei study all year in order pass high school entrance exams. About a month ago, 69 of my kids went to the high schools they were applying for and took the exams. 30 of them passed. For those who didn't pass or chose not to take the exams the first time around, there was a second round of exams held over two days on 3/8 - 3/9. Graduation was on 3/13 and the test results for the second round of exams are posted today, 3/15. Can you imagine going thru your graduation ceremony without knowing which high school you would be going to?? Eek.

The 3nensei teachers are visiting various high schools to check the results, while some have stayed to receive calls from the students themselves....they call to let the teachers know whether they got in or not. If I haven't explained already, teachers here are not solely "teachers." They also act as the student' parents, counselors, etc. The 3nensei teachers are very anxious today, almost at much as the students. When my 3nensei JTE found out that some students whom she wasn't expecting to pass, did, she teared up. It's very touching to see just how much these teachers care. The anticipation for every phone call received is nerve-racking in itself.

For those who didn't pass, they are supposed to come to school in the early afternoon to see the teachers about alternative options, ie) private schools, night schools, etc. For those who did pass, they come later in the afternoon. The teachers separated the times for when the students come to school b/c they know that the kids who didn't pass might not want to face the ones that did. SAAAAAD.

I think the stress induced by such a system for entrance into high schools is INCREDIBLY burdensome for the students, who are only 14 or 15 years old. Poor things! Kawaisou!

In other news, my 1nensei JTE has "complained" (in a very Japanese way) throughout the year that the 1nensei's English ability this year are the lowest she has experienced in the 20-something years she has been teaching. However, she recently found out thru a nation-wide test that the 1nensei students are actually ABOVE the national average. Arienai. She can't believe it herself. She says that there is either something wrong with the results, or that students in Japan these days are just really dumb. Well, she didn't put it in those exact words. =)