On February 5, 2024 (Monday), Gifu University held an online symposium titled 'Exploring Inclusive Education Driven by Principals.' A total of 215 participants, including representatives from universities, board of education, school personnel, and citizens nationwide, attended the symposium.

Inclusive education aims to elicit the potential of all children, regardless of nationality, race, or disability, by enabling them to learn together in the same environment. Notably, a critical challenge lies in empowering school principals to take leadership roles in advancing special needs education. In response to this challenge, Gifu University Graduate School for Teaching Profession collaborated with NITS (National Institute for School Teachers and Staff Development) to develop the first special needs education management training program in Japan specifically targeting elementary and junior high school principals.

In the first session, Dr. KAJISA Tetsuya, President of Hyogo University of Teacher Education (Hyogo Prefecture) and President of the Japan Association of Professional Schools for Teacher Education, delivered a keynote speech. Dr. Kajisa is a pioneer of Japanese school management training, and he served as Chairperson of Special Needs Examination Committee of the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology of Japan. Under the theme of 'Qualities Expected of Today's Principals and Their Learning,' Dr. Kajisa emphasized that today's school principals must focus on building internal systems as leaders in special needs education to help children who have some difficulties at school.

Dr. Kajisa delivering his keynote speech

The second session featured reports on "School principals' special needs education management training that also bolsters regular education." It is a collaborative project between Gifu University Graduate School for Teaching Profession, the Gifu Prefectural Board of Education, and the Gifu Prefectural Association of Elementary and Junior High School Principals. The reports highlighted the benefits of the training including valuable experiences for young teachers who were assisted by vice principals in their class operations during the training.

Second Session
(from left)
Mr. ENDO Chikashi (Gifu Prefectural Association of Elementary and Junior High School Principals) Mr. NIWA Hiroki (Gifu Prefectural Board of Education) Professor HIRASAWA Noriko (Gifu University Graduate School for Teaching Profession) Professor SUGIMORI Hiroyuki (Gifu University Graduate School for Teaching Profession) Ms. HARA Akemi, Principal of Iwade Elementary School, Tarui Town, Gifu Prefecture

In the third session, participants engaged in discussions following Dr. Kajisa's keynote speech and presentation of reports. The following comments were made by the participants after the symposium: "The culture of a school, where principals actively engage in learning, contributes to the growth of teachers and enhancement of children's education," "The collaboration between Gifu University Graduate School for Teaching Profession and school principals has led to the creation of outstanding training programs," and "Providing an environment conducive to principals exercising leadership is crucial."

We extend our heartfelt gratitude to all participants for contributing to this valuable learning opportunity. Gifu University will continue to collaborate with various educational institutions to further develop and enhance inclusive education for children.