The Tasks And Trials In PETE At The University Level in Japan

Abstract

After the worldwide physical education crisis, so called PETE at university level is one of the focal point to promote quality Physical Education. In this situation, in 1997, Education Personnel Training Council in Ministry of Education , Science and Culture(since 2001 Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology; MEXT) in Japan has informed the Council Report on strategy for improving teacher education system in the future. In 2008, the Course of Studies for elementary and junior high schools were introduced in 2008 and that of for senior high school in 2009. Also system for renewing educational personnel certificates is introduced formally from 2009. Based on this situation on PETE reform movement, tasks and trends in PETE at university level in Japan was shown in this article. In Japanese PETE system, there is discrepancy between needed competency for physical education teachers and image of physical education teacher in general. Most important problem in this recognition would be poor knowledge on competencies requested for physical education teacher as profession. To overcome this discrepant, one need to discuss the better way to change employment system to profession. At university level, even through simulated class based on reflection has introduced in some universities, content knowledge and pedagogical knowledge are usually taught separately. In this sense, one should consider again better way to enhance PCK at university level and to make tentative content and performance standard for them related with CPD. In this context, first step to improve PETE curriculum has just begun in JAPAN