Japanese city ending extracurriculars in middle schools.
Kobe will eliminate school-run extracurricular activities in public middle schools, replacing them with non-school affiliated programs by 2026.
No more sports teams or clubs for school kids in Kobe. I know, right? Japan’s all about academics, but they also value extracurricular activities. It’s so important that some schools even make them mandatory. Now, if you don’t join anything, you’re labeled a “kitaku-bu,” which feels like you’re the odd kid out. But in a surprising twist, Kobe’s decided to cut out all public school extracurriculars starting next spring. Crazy, right?
Why, you ask? Well, the city’s facing a declining birth rate, making it tough for schools to manage clubs and teams due to low enrollment. Plus, teachers are already burning the midnight oil, and the board is worried about their workload. But hey, they’re not leaving kids high and dry. They’re rolling out a system called Kobe Katsu, letting local organizations use school facilities. This means students can pick programs that truly match their interests. But only time will tell if this new system keeps costs down. The plan is to have all school-run activities gone by August 2026.
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