Understanding teacher transfers in Japan from a parent's perspective
When we first moved to Japan and enrolled our child in elementary school, I had no idea about 教職員人事異動 (kyoshokuin jinji ido), the nationwide system of teacher transfers. I expected to get to know the teaching staff over many years and maybe even see the same faces until graduation, as is common back in New Zealand. So, when my child's beloved teacher (along with what felt like half the faculty) suddenly disappeared at the end of the school year, I was confused and, honestly, a little emotional.
I've since learned that this isn't unusual at all. It's part of a long-standing system in Japan where teachers are regularly rotated between schools. For foreign parents who are used to seeing the same staff year after year, this can be a surprising and sometimes difficult adjustment.
What Are Teacher Transfers & Why Do They Happen?
Image: iStock: paylessimages
In Japan, public school teachers are employed by the local Board of Education rather than individual schools. This means that teachers aren't permanently attached to one school but are seen as part of the wider prefectural system. Every few years (typically every three to five), they're reassigned to a different school within the region or city.
Unlike in some other countries, these transfers don't usually happen because a teacher has performed poorly or done something wrong. Instead, they're part of a planned rotation system designed to support teacher growth and benefit the school system as a whole.
The idea behind the transfers is to help teachers develop professionally and keep things fair across schools. By changing schools and grade levels, teachers gain new experiences, stay motivated and bring fresh ideas to different classrooms. For students, it means being exposed to a variety of teaching styles.
Although there's some debate about how effective the system always is in practice, it's a normal part of school life in Japan.
How Teacher Transfers Happen
Image: iStock: Fast&Slow
One of the most difficult parts of teacher transfers in Japan, especially for parents, is the timing. Unlike in many other countries where staffing updates are shared well in advance, Japanese schools tend to announce teacher changes just days before the school year ends in March. Even the teachers themselves often don't find out about their new assignments until late in the school year.
Once the transfers are confirmed, a short notice or letter is usually sent home with students. On the last day of school, during the shuryo-shiki (closing ceremony), there's often a farewell segment where teachers who are leaving give short speeches and are presented with flowers.
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