Examination of Educational Cost Policies in Public Elementary and Junior High Schools: Focusing on Methods for Making Teaching Materials Free of Charge

Abstract

This paper clarifies the current educational cost burden for public elementary and junior high schools and trends in educational cost policy, and examines whether it is in line with the constitutional principle of free education and the principle of the institution bearing the burden in the School Education Act. Currently, many ‘free education’ policies are limited to providing cash payments to households and do not go so far as to guarantee public funding for the expenses necessary for running a school. When we look closely at policies on free teaching materials, they can be categorized into four types depending on the form of subsidy and whether or not there is discretion, and various methods such as cash payments and benefits in kind are being implemented. It is important not simply to cover the costs with public funding, but to ensure that teachers have the discretion to select teaching materials based on the educational needs of their students.