2024 Volume 29 Issue 1 Pages 33-48
The purpose of this study was to clarify the achievements and challenges of Olympic and Paralympic Education（OPE） for the Tokyo 2020 from interviews with schools that have been continuously involved in OPE, and to consider the factors to continuing the program after the Games.
Semi-structured interviews were conducted with the principals and teachers in charge of four schools that have been designated as schools promoting the nationwide project for three consecutive years. Questions were asked about the reasons for engaging in the project, the results of the educational activities（pupils, schools and teachers, community, and parents） and challenges.
As the achievements of the OPE, the children’s knowledge and understanding of the Olympic and Paralympics was increased, and their interest and concern was enhanced. In addition, by directly meeting to the athletes, the children were able to acquire moral values such as having dreams and goals, working hard, and never giving up. It was also revealed that teachers saw that the OPE helped them develop an attitude toward learning and improved the results of academic tests. Furthermore, school events such as sport day and OPE initiatives were effective as a means of deepening ties with the local community. OPE had an impact not only on the children, but also on their parents and the local community. The school’s ongoing efforts were positively received by parents and residents, and developed into an initiative involving the local community, taking advantage of local characteristics.
