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▼ Survey Shows 90% of Elementary School Principals Want Lower-Grade Students to Use Paper Textbooks
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More than 90% of elementary school principals want lower-grade students to use paper textbooks, even as the country moves toward greater adoption of digital versions, according to a new Yomiuri Shimbun survey.
The survey, conducted earlier this month, asked elementary school principals nationwide about their opinions on digital textbooks, which the government aims to officially introduce to the nation’s schools starting in fiscal 2030.
Of the 149 respondents, more than 90% expressed a preference for “paper-only” or “primarily paper” textbooks for first and second graders. The figure was 80% for third and fourth graders, underscoring a clear desire for paper-based learning at schools.
A bill to officially recognize digital textbooks as a valid form of textbook passed the House of Representatives in April. With deliberations in the House of Councillors set to start soon, the bill is expected to be passed into law by the end of June.
Once the bill is passed, “fully digital” textbooks and “hybrids” combining paper and digital materials will be added to the existing paper-only options.
In the survey, principals were asked to choose the most desirable textbook format for children’s learning from four options: paper-only; paper-centric hybrids supplemented with digital material; digital-centric hybrids supplemented with paper material; or fully digital.
The combined percentage of principals who expressed a preference for paper-only or primarily paper texts for each level of education stood at 94% for early elementary (first and second grades), 80% for middle elementary (third and fourth grades) and 54% for upper elementary (fifth and sixth grades).
When asked for their reasons in a free-response format, many principals offered responses to the effect that paper textbooks encourage deeper thinking in elementary school children, while some also pointed out issues with digital technology, such as concerns over its effect on children’s eyesight and health.
By subject, the preference for paper-based materials for Japanese language classes reached 96% for early elementary, 83% for middle elementary and 63% for upper elementary. Mathematics saw similar results at 90%, 75% and 52%, respectively.
For social studies and science, the proportion of principals choosing paper for middle elementary students also exceeded those favoring digital-centric or fully digital options.
There were some subjects where respondents showed a greater preference for primarily digital or fully digital textbooks, such as English, where a combined 66% chose these options.
Meanwhile, a combined 72% of respondents said that they either “have concerns” or “somewhat have concerns” about granting digital textbooks official status.
The Yomiuri Shimbun conducted the online survey this month, targeting 188 officials including the chairpersons and vice chairpersons of elementary school principal associations across all 47 prefectures. Valid responses were received from 149 people, a response rate of 79%.
The survey, conducted earlier this month, asked elementary school principals nationwide about their opinions on digital textbooks, which the government aims to officially introduce to the nation’s schools starting in fiscal 2030.
Of the 149 respondents, more than 90% expressed a preference for “paper-only” or “primarily paper” textbooks for first and second graders. The figure was 80% for third and fourth graders, underscoring a clear desire for paper-based learning at schools.
A bill to officially recognize digital textbooks as a valid form of textbook passed the House of Representatives in April. With deliberations in the House of Councillors set to start soon, the bill is expected to be passed into law by the end of June.
Once the bill is passed, “fully digital” textbooks and “hybrids” combining paper and digital materials will be added to the existing paper-only options.
In the survey, principals were asked to choose the most desirable textbook format for children’s learning from four options: paper-only; paper-centric hybrids supplemented with digital material; digital-centric hybrids supplemented with paper material; or fully digital.
The combined percentage of principals who expressed a preference for paper-only or primarily paper texts for each level of education stood at 94% for early elementary (first and second grades), 80% for middle elementary (third and fourth grades) and 54% for upper elementary (fifth and sixth grades).
When asked for their reasons in a free-response format, many principals offered responses to the effect that paper textbooks encourage deeper thinking in elementary school children, while some also pointed out issues with digital technology, such as concerns over its effect on children’s eyesight and health.
By subject, the preference for paper-based materials for Japanese language classes reached 96% for early elementary, 83% for middle elementary and 63% for upper elementary. Mathematics saw similar results at 90%, 75% and 52%, respectively.
For social studies and science, the proportion of principals choosing paper for middle elementary students also exceeded those favoring digital-centric or fully digital options.
There were some subjects where respondents showed a greater preference for primarily digital or fully digital textbooks, such as English, where a combined 66% chose these options.
Meanwhile, a combined 72% of respondents said that they either “have concerns” or “somewhat have concerns” about granting digital textbooks official status.
The Yomiuri Shimbun conducted the online survey this month, targeting 188 officials including the chairpersons and vice chairpersons of elementary school principal associations across all 47 prefectures. Valid responses were received from 149 people, a response rate of 79%.
- 28/5 20:52
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