The "Reform" of elementary education system in Karafuto during the 1920's

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  • 1920年代の樺太における初等教育制度の「改革」
  • 1920ネンダイ ノ カラフト ニ オケル ショトウ キョウイク セイド ノ カイカク

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Abstract

This paper examines education policies in Karafuto during the 1920's, specifically the "Reform" of elementary education system. The southern part of Sakhalin (Karafuto) became a Japanese colony after the 1905 Portsmouth Treaty between Japan and Russia. The Japanese government made the Russian residents return to their own country and recruited Japanese settlers; consequently, Japanese made up 87% of all residents. A Japanese ethnic majority distinguished Karafuto from other Japanese colonies. As a result, the government decided to enforce a legal system similar to that found in the Japanese homeland. Elementary education in Karafuto consisted of two systems. One was the government elementary school system for residents who lived in urban areas, and the other was a private elementary school system for rural residents. These two systems differed considerably in facilities and teachers' status and salaries. In 1920, Karafuto-Chou (The colonial government of Karafuto) united the two elementary school systems. All teachers' salaries were to be paid from the treasury. Additional school expenditures were to be paid by local administrations, established in 1922. Karafuto-Chou dictated educational policy, but left its enforcement to the schools. The "Reform" of elementary education system in Karafuto had important consequences. It made necessary preparations for the enforcement of compulsory education, while simultaneously creating a method of controlling residents through the schools. Furthermore, it was an important factor in imposing a local administrative system, which in turn must be maintained by Karafuto residents.

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