Relation Between School Consolidation and Resignation in Otaki District, Chichibu City: Process of Closing All Elementary Schools in a District

DOI Web Site Web Site 1 References
  • Nagao Yuuri
    Graduate student, School of Humanities and Sciences, Ochanomizu University

Bibliographic Information

Other Title
  • 埼玉県秩父市大滝地区における学校統合と校区への諦観との関係―小学校の消失過程に関する一考察―
  • サイタマケン チチブシ オオタキ チク ニ オケル ガッコウ トウゴウ ト コウク エ ノ テイカン ト ノ カンケイ : ショウガッコウ ノ ショウシツ カテイ ニ カンスル イチ コウサツ

Search this article

Abstract

<p>School consolidation due to the decreasing number of school age children has been a difficult process. Schools are not merely educational facilities: they are places for community work, interaction and are symbols of the school district. Therefore, school consolidation exerts strong effects on the school district communities. Nevertheless, few studies to date have examined school symbolism. This report presents the examination of elementary school closure processes in Otaki District, Chichibu City, Saitama Prefecture, in which no municipal school currently exists. This study particularly addresses school functions, and specifically reconsiders the frameworks of earlier studies. The results clarify that elementary school consolidations were supported passively, perhaps because the respective school districts apparently had no future; it was meaningless to maintain elementary schools there. This view represented the prevailing resignation in each school district when confronting the decreasing population, declining industry, and dam construction. Moreover, because of elementary school consolidation, communities lost locations that emphasized the presence of children and young people. The lack of a future for school districts became apparent, which likely contributed to the people’s resignation. These findings suggest a close relationship between schools and recognition of the future of school districts. One can point out the elementary school function as a symbol of a school district’s “future.” The changing structure of conflict related to school consolidation among residents reflects people’s prospects for the future of a school district.</p>

Journal

References(1)*help

See more

Keywords

Details 詳細情報について

Report a problem

Back to top