Having worked in education in Japan myself I concur with your points – there are many myths and stereotypes. Education, youth and culture are 3 areas I’m passionate about so very happy you posted this.

I think the nub of the problem is that all instutional educational systems (East or West) are based on industrial-era concepts and poorly equip the students of today. For example, if a manager failed to co-operate with her counterparts she would be in trouble – yet in the exam room we are penalized if we talk to the next person! Very few candidates these days can write properly, present or organize their ideas onto 1 sheet of paper favouring a 10,000 word essay. When was the last time you read a 10,000 word report?

Stephen Covey said that the half-life of all the content we learn at university is 2 years. So, you’re right about the “basics” Dorothy – the core skills rather than the “content” – this is what we need to teach; how to learn, how to network, how to present etc. This is about as much as we can hope to impart on the next generation of learners through schooling.

I’ve interviewed many graduates who come out of university thinking university is about learning, workplace about doing. The irony is that it’s the other way round and education is a lifelong process.