G7 Education Ministers’ Meeting in Toyama and Kanazawa Begins! We report on the delegates’ Day 1 visit.
The G7 Education Ministers’ Meeting in Toyama and Kanazawa has opened today.
On Day 1, the ministers went on a tour to visit elementary and junior high schools and cultural facilities in Toyama Prefecture. The attendees were as follows:
■H.E. Ms. Christine STREICHERT-CLIVOT, Minister for Education and Culture of Saarland, 1st Vice President of the Standing Conference of the Ministers of Education and Cultural Affairs of the Länder in the Federal Republic of Germany
■Ms. Tina NAMIESNIOWSKI, Senior Associate Deputy Minister, Employment and Social Development, Canada
The Honorable Wayne Ewasco, Minister of Education and Early Childhood Learning, Government of Manitoba, Canada
■ Ms. Maureen MCLAUGHLIN, Senior Advisor to the Secretary and Director of International Affairs, Department of Education of the United States of America
■ Mr. Stefaan HERMANS, Policy Strategy and Evaluation, Directorate-General for Education, Youth, Sport and Culture, European Commission
Tour opens with a visit to Toyama City Shibazono Elementary School
The delegates were given a warm welcome, and national flags waved by second graders waiting in the cafeteria.
The delegates sat down with the students to eat lunch together. Today’s menu was made from using an abundance of local products including rice harvested in Toyama Prefecture and tororo kombu shredded tangle.
The students introduced their town and school in both English and in Japanese. A quiz session was also held on the participating countries. The delegates seemed to enjoy eating and answering the quiz with the students. After finishing their meals, a photo session was held.
The delegates then observed the students in class, studying with their computers under the GIGA School Program. The delegates said they were impressed with the open structure of the school which has no wall between the classroom and the hallway.
Delegates visit Toyama City Yatsuo Junior High School
The delegates were greeted by the junior high students holding a welcome banner and then escorted into the school.
Inside, the students made presentations about their school in English.
The delegates then transferred to the gymnasium. The students presented the traditional dance of Owara. The students taught the delegates how to dance, and everyone joined in the big circle.
Aside from the school visits, the delegates also visited the Koshinokuni Museum of Literature, and the Toyama Glass Art Museum.
Day 1 ends with Japanese traditional arts, and a welcome dinner with fruits of the sea and land
The dinner party opened with high school students presenting a traditional folk performance of Mugiyabushi.
MEXT Minister Nagaoka proposed a toast, opening the dinner party.
Delegates’ comments of Day 1
After the dinner, Wayne Ewasco, Minister of Education and Early Childhood Learning of Manitoba, Canada, said he was inspired by the students’ enthusiasm and felt the students’ pride, not only in their studies, but in their culture, tradition, and schools. He said what most impressed him was everyone having so much fun while performing.
Maureen MCLAUGHLIN, Senior Advisor to the Secretary and Director of International Affairs, Department of Education of the United States of America also shared her thoughts on the day. She said at the elementary school, she was impressed by how the meal was so delicious yet nutritionally balanced. On observing the classrooms, she said it was nice to see the students studying by independently deciding their own themes. At the same time, she was also impressed by the teamwork between the students and the teacher’s flexible response. She was also impressed by the sheer size of the glassworks at the Toyama Glass Art Museum. At Yatsuo junior high, she enjoyed the students’ enthusiasm in teaching traditional Owara dance and dancing with them.
Delegates exchange gifts and watch fireworks
After dinner, the HODs of the US, EU and Canada exchanged gifts with Minister Nagaoka.
Day 1 ended with a fireworks display.
