I have a question regarding the difference between “Ken” and “Shi” placements. I was wondering if someone could shed some light on this topic.
From what I understand, “ken” refers to prefectural placements and “shi” refers to city/town placements. I’m curious to know if “shi” placements usually entail more than one school. Do JETs in “shi” placements usually teach at multiple schools within their assigned city or town? And would this placement more likely be an Elementary school rather than a high school?
I would appreciate any insights, or general information you could provide on this matter.
Thank you in advance for your assistance!
6 comments
It honestly just depends on your BOE. For some, a city placement means you’re only at one school. At others you could be at 10+. Same for prefectural placements but I think it’s pretty rare a prefectural ALT is at a single school. Your predecessor will be your best bet for info.
city/town placements often have multiple schools unless a very large BoE but again it all depends on your individual placement
extremely rare to have a SHS as those are usually Ken placements
some Ken placements have multiple SHSs rarely
I agree it just depends. But city usually = middle or elementary, prefecture = high school.
県 and 市 placements could both put you in a city or a town, with one or multiple schools, at any age group. There are ‘probabilities’, but those are irrelevant really. There’s someone who is choosing where they think is best to put you.
The majority of ALTs either get multiple schools, or one big school. Some get one remote school only. I don’t think 大分市 will have that (it’s villages and islands usually AFAIK). The majority of city placements are ES and JHS. But that doesn’t mean you wont get SHS…
It’s really tricky, but try not to worry about it until you get your school info. I know you wanna know so you can ready yourself, but it’s honestly worse trying to work out statistical probabilities and guessing just to be disappointed.
Basically, with maybe a few exceptions, senior high schools are administered by the prefectural “ken” board of education meaning you will be placed in one or more senior high schools. In my case, I had a “base” senior high school four or five days a week and alternated between two “visit” schools as needed one day a week, one in the same city and the other in a neighbouring town. An English teacher at my base school was appointed as my supervisor and coordinated with my visit schools. In most cases, the prefectural boards of educations entrust the “base” schools to deal with scheduling, PTO requests, salary, visa renewals, housing (if provided), etc. I had little to no contact with the prefectural board of education and was for all intents and purposes under the direct authority of my base school.
On the other hand, junior high schools and elementary schools are administered by municipal “shi” boards of education. Depending on how many other ALTs and how many elementary and junior high schools are in your municipality, you could work at a few or multiple schools. In most cases, you deal more closely with the municipal board of education for administrative procedures, PTO requests, visa renewals, housing, etc. Unless you’re at a “base” school, your municipal board of education will be your main “boss” while you are under the authority of the principal while at school.
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