Intergenerational Work Based on the Gakusha Yugo Concept: A Japanese Approach for Uniting School and Community

Abstract

Japan's educational policy has encouraged efforts to integrate lifelong learning education into a variety of community settings, including schools. However, such integrated practices have been scarcely carried out throughout Japan. Gakusha yugo (unity of schools and community) is a concept that has emerged from experimental practices in the Akitsu community in Narasino City, Chiba Prefecture, Japan. Activities based on the Gakusha yugo concept are intergenerational in nature insofar as there is an integration of the elementary school curriculum with lifelong learning pursuits for adults in the community. There is also an emphasis on engaging adults and children together in meaningful activities for community development. This article explains the Gakusha yugo concept and introduces the model established in the Akitsu community. The history, contents and effects of the “Akitsu Model” are described, and implications for the future development of the Gakusha yugo concept and practices are considered.

KEYWORDS:

• intergenerational setting
• “Gakusha yugo”
• lifelong learning
• school-community linkages
• Japan
• community

Notes

1. Yugo Ken, the Association for Unity of School and Community, was established in 1997 by Minoru Miyazaki, then Principal of Akitsu Elementary School, Yuji Kishi, then chair (and current advisor) of the Akitsu Community Association, and others at the first Yugo Forum, which was held at Akitsu Elementary School. The purpose of the association is to practice and research lifelong learning efforts initiated in schools and in other community settings, utilizing the concept of Gakusha yugo. The current membership counts 350. For two years since 2005, the association was commissioned to the “Chiiki Kodomo Kyoshitu Jigyo” (Children's Classrooms in Community Project) by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science, and Technology, and it contributed to the development of 35 local programs called “Yugo Kodomo Kyoshitu” (Yugo Children's Classrooms) and involved approximately 100,000 children nationwide. In the association's 10th anniversary year, 2006, Yugo Ken held 10 forums nationwide.

2. Koen: Traditionally, Japanese human relationships in community settings are formed through Chien (connections through land) and Ketsuen (kinship). Koen is a concept that has been recently introduced (Kishi, 2008) to refer to developing human relationships with children as the center of connection between adults.