Things about Japanese schools that you don't (or didn't) know

Ah, school life. Almost everyone in the world thinks it's one of the best and most enjoyable experiences in life. What we usually see on TV are stereotypes of how schools, students, and children are portrayed. But then again, there's Japan--one of the most unique and peculiar cultures in the world. And if you've seen some anime, you'd probably think Japanese people actually do that in reality. You're right! But do you know that there are more things about Japanese schools that we don't (or didn't) know? Here are a list of some things I noticed as I start my adventure in this surprising but amazing country:

Yes, what you see in typical school life in anime actually exists.
Name it: school uniforms, students' behavior, the teachers and principals, classrooms, and even the school chimes. I was culture-shocked learning that all schools in Japan actually follow the same pattern of schedules and well, the Big Ben chime is standard. It sometimes make me laugh because I feel like I'm in a live-action J-Drama or anime everyday!

Students (and teachers) clean their schools.
While we depend on our janitors to do the job in our campuses, kids and teenagers (in all levels) wipe their tables, scrub the toilets, vacuum the floors, and rearrange the equipment on their own. It's not because they're stingy enough to pay a staff (they're a rich country, duh.) It's more of a culture in keeping a clean and independent lifestyle.

They have a locker for their indoor and outdoor shoes.
Because they are obsessed with cleanliness, they make it a rule NOT to wear outdoor shoes inside school premises. This is to keep the floors from dirt that could spread unwanted diseases among children. Also, it would be easier to clean the floors.

They wear sneakers as indoor shoes.
While teachers wear respectable business attires (yes, a coat and tie most especially in urban schools), they (including the kids) wear sports shoes. Any color and design would do. This is because Japan is prone to earthquakes and they believe the pair of sneakers is a comfortable and practical use especially during an emergency.

Students and teachers eat together in a classroom.
This practice is called "kyushoku" 給食　meaning "school lunch". While the Philippines and the West provide cafeterias, Japan allows these guys to gather together at lunch to have a deeper relationship among each other. The kids themselves serve the food in an organized way and the food is identical to promote equality.

Both public and private schools have good quality facilities.

Japanese people are not criticized when they study at an ordinary public school. It has good quality just as much as a private school does. I think the difference is, private schools are more expensive and they usually have more advanced facilities and bigger sports gyms. 

School clubs and sports activities are an asset. In Japan, extra-curricular activities are not treated as "extra". They are as important as regular subjects. Students usually engage in these activities after school, usually from 4pm and ends at 6pm.

Special children are treated equally, like normal people. Unlike other countries who separate autistic and mentally-handicapped children from normal schools, Japan doesn't (as much as possible). Youngsters suffering from these illnesses are treated naturally and are accepted by their fellow students. 

They wear masks like it's a typical thing to do. 

In the Philippines, we find it offending if someone wears a mask in public. This act shows that the surroundings for him are filthy, or people around him are smelly or contagious. However this is not the case in Japan. They wear them for protection from allergies, or to prevent being infectious to others. This is actually done all over the country. And it's not offensive at all. In fact, the more you wear them, the 'safer' and more comfortable others feel.

Nursery and elementary kids use identical school bags. And they're not just a typical school bag. It's a huge, box-type bag that looks more like a lunchbox.

Most of them don't like speaking in English. Japanese people are labeled as one of the poorest speakers of English in Asia because they don't really need it in their country; so they don't bother taking it seriously. And don't expect them to talk to you in English no matter how much of a foreigner or an English teacher you are.

Students will never correct you. I recently notice that whenever we teachers commit an error, they would rather shut up and not point it out to you. Is it for politeness' sake? No. Embarrassment? Maybe. Either way, it's annoying and it makes teachers look stupid.

Teenagers may be shy in class hours, but are actually loud and liberated in real life and in-between classes. So you think Japanese people are shy? That's what they say. But some of them, usually the young generation, are actually boisterous, rude, and clumsy. During kyushoku, the kids play with their food and talk while eating. Afterwards, they arrange the plates noisily like barbarians. Male or female, they're mostly rude. And yes, it's annoying.

So these are the things I think are what we see in schools in Japan. If you want to share something about it, feel free to comment below. Thanks for reading!