I agree what he said “The only way we’ll do it is by seeing our creative capacities for the richness they are and seeing our children for the hope that they are.”
He said that the present education system took children’s creativity away.
He considers that children who would like to continue to learn music and arts are decreasing because we think mathematics and languages are more useful than music and arts and it follows that it disturbs development of children’s creativity.
He said that academic cleverness is the most important during the period of rapid economic growth, but spiritual richness is needed these days and we should reconsider the meaning of learning music and arts.
I approve his opinion.
Mathematics and languages are dealt with as the most important learning.
When I was an elementary school student, we had a lot of music and arts classes and the school life was fun for me.
But when I was a high school student, we had mathematics and English classes every day, but we had a class of music or arts only once a week. And I feel I became less creative than before. Therefore I agree with him.
I think we should have more computer classes. Especially, I think programming is one of the most useful technologies. Most people learn programming in adulthood. If we start to learn programming in childhood, we can master it more easily.
It is said engineers are lacking in Japan. To develop our future life, we really need more engineers in Japan. If we start to learn programming at elementary school or junior high school, the number of engineers will increase.
I also think we should have more gym classes at high school and university.
Many people don’t have physical education classes at university. Health is one of the most important things in our life.
When I belonged to the track and field club at junior high school, I could easily to memorize English words and Kanji, though training was very hard and I was exhausted.
Exercise is good for our creativity as well as our health. I think exercise has a salutary effect on academic life, so physical education is very important.
I hope that Japanese education system will be changed in future. Children should have not only mathematics and languages but also music and arts. And it will help to develop and encourage children’s creativity.