Japan to issue guidelines on 'teacher harassment' by parents

Japan is taking steps to protect its teachers from what it terms 'harassment' by parents. The Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology plans to notify all schools nationwide about guidelines to identify and address such behavior.

The new guidelines will classify unreasonable parental demands, like requests to change a student's class or teacher, as harassment. Excessive actions such as repeatedly calling teachers for extended periods or making unreasonable demands will also be covered. Even demands to monitor children playing in parks after school will be considered inappropriate.

To support teachers, the guidelines will also outline how schools should respond to conflicts. Teachers will not be left to handle parental complaints alone. If unreasonable demands persist, schools will be advised to request the parent to leave. Teachers will have the right to refuse lengthy phone calls after a certain time and can record conversations during parent meetings with prior consent.

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The Ministry of Education will soon notify all education boards nationwide of criteria for judging malicious words and actions by parents as 'teacher harassment' and methods for schools to respond.

This move comes as reports indicate a significant number of teachers in Japan struggle with parental interactions. A survey last year found that about 40% of schools in 11 regions experienced excessive complaints or unreasonable demands. Over 90% of teachers who faced such issues reported feeling burdened by parental interactions.

The Japanese government emphasizes that parents and community members are partners in supporting children's growth. However, it also stresses the need to appropriately address actions that exceed socially acceptable boundaries to protect students and educators.

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Parents and community members are partners who support the growth of children and students. It is necessary to respond appropriately to actions that go beyond the scope of what is socially acceptable to protect students and teachers.