So, firstly, I’m not new in Japan. I’ve been here 8 years, and taught Eikaiwa, ALT, and 3 International Preschools. I like moving around the country for different experiences.
I recently joined an International Preschool where lines are being crossed. There’s definitely verbal, psychological, and some physical abuse.
Over the years, I’ve seen my fair share of strict teachers, but the culture and general mood in this school definitely crosses lines.
The children aren’t confident or happy. They’re clearly scared of all the teachers.
I’ve seen name-calling, inappropriate SCREAMING at kids, refusal to eat lunch, aggressive grabbing by the hands, etc
AND THIS IS EVERY SINGLE MOMENT OF EVERYDAY!! I’m honestly not exaggerating or blowing things out of proportion.
So, without any evidence, will it make any difference if I reported the matter? Has anyone experienced an intense atmosphere in a school before? If so, how did you handle it?
10 comments
Is this public? You can report to the BOE directly but it will kick up a sht storm and be prepared to fight for your job. If its private their might be a agency you can report too. If so the tactic is the same and its to overstep chain of command. You can go up chain of command if you trust your bosses, this will be a lot more respected but also likely just to lead to a really bad job trying to paper over the issue and make everyone happy.
An ALT did this where I used to work after seeing abuse at a school. Slowly going up the chain of command. Lots of half measures and finally the BOE sent people to observe the class. Surprisingly they did not see anything after public announcing when they would come (sarcasm). Again nothing happened. In protest he ended up taking that day off for the rest of the year. Still kept his job but the BOE did give him shtty schools the next year.
Film it if possible. Then report to the police. Something similar was reported in fukuoka prefecture a few years back and the teacher was dealt with. Disgusting to bully little kids.
https://video.mainichi.jp/detail/video/6037058159001
The school may also be at risk of being closed dowm if this is the case.
put a voice recorder on your sons person or his bag, belonging, etc. record for a few weeks to show concistency. if you can get video recordings too, that’s better. lawyer up, police up, nihongo jozudesune up.
get evidence first, and then report it.
If you dont get evidence first you are just going to give them a chance to hide all the evidence after you report it.
So yeah, take videos and shit, and send it to the BoE, and the police
You need evidence. Audio ,film anything.
My son’s preschool had a case of child abuse.it was big news in our city. It closed down and the woman was arrested.
What’s the legal definition of child abuse here? Cause teachers yelling at kids probably isn’t going to be enough.
First of all, I have massive respect for you for actually taking action here and wanting to protect the kids. Fair play. If I could ever meet you in person I would gladly buy you dinner.
As the responses say I would record as much as possible and just go to the police to raise the most fuss. Kick and scream to make sure you’re noticed and make sure they’re brought down. I would love to see updates from this.
I feel so bad for the kids
Without evidence you have nothing. I would record some of the situations–video, if possible, audio if not. If the chains of command are all implicated, then your next course of action is to get the parents of the students involved…. leak the footage, or maybe draft an anonymous letter. (Or have a Japanese friend do it so it sounds native and less suspicion ends on you.)
Where in Japan is this? I left employment with an international preschool because or horrible working conditions and thr way they treated the kids. I’ve posted about it if you want to have a look.
You absolutely need evidence, incontrovertible evidence. It needs to show continued and widespread behaviour.
It may also be a crapshoot, but gauging which parents may be supportive and possible approaching them once you have affirmative action planned could add weight and protection to the claims and yourself.
If there are any staff at all you think would risk their job for the children then, if you have the evidence and support of a/some parent coral them into giving you some cover.
You can get some free initial advice if you approach the General union, but I imagine further help would be limited. Joining them prior to any issues are taken forward will provide more advice and potential future cover for any job related problems.
If you’re on your own so be it, but do report it.
Good luck.