An Examination of the Concept of "Self-Government" in Early Times in Japan after World War II : Focusing on the Educational Practice of Katsuji Ishibashi

Abstract

This article examines the concept of "Self-Government" in early times after World War II. Now, children's participation is often discussed in Japan from the view point of children's rights. Children's participation has two kinds of meaning. First, it has a function of personality formation in democratic society. Second, it has a function of identity formation of children themselves. These meanings also suggest that children's positive participation needs for children's self-governing activity. The other, children's participation in actual educational activity and in school administration and management accelerates the children's self-governing capacity. In this sense, children's participation are closely connected with the formation of children's self-governing capacity. Then, it's necessary for us to examine the past educational practices which based on children's self-governing activities and to foresee the realization of school committee which composed of parents and teachers and children. In this point, the educational practice of Katsuji Ishibashi were intended to the realization of children's self-government from prewar to postwar period. His guiding principle were based on the view of formation-of the children's self-governing capacity. Especially his practical feature were plan of school committee ("gakko iinkai") that composed of parents and teachers and children. From now on, this practice should be examined by the view of children's self-government and children's participation. So, I will examine and discuss the practice of Katsuji Ishibashi concerning the children's self-governing activities during the postwar period (1945-1950).