Fukui high schools selected as hubs for Japan's educational reform

The Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology has selected 60 high schools across 26 prefectures to serve as hubs for educational reform. This initiative is part of the ‘Next High School Concept,’ which aims to address the ‘2040 problem’ involving declining birthrates, depopulation, and a shortage of STEM talent.

In Fukui Prefecture, Tsuruga High School and Sabae High School have been chosen as model institutions. Tsuruga High School will focus on science education and data science, receiving approximately 1.8 billion yen to establish a ‘Science/DX Research Center’ and advanced laboratories. The school will make data science a compulsory subject and delay the timing of academic track selection to the third year.

Sabae High School will act as a hub for remote learning to ensure educational quality regardless of geographic location or school size. It will receive approximately 1.03 billion yen to develop broadcasting studios, remote practice rooms, and a ‘Regional Collaboration and Co-creation Hub.’ The school will also introduce a new original subject called ‘Regional Inquiry.’

Under this program, the government will provide financial support to these hub schools for the three-year period from 2026 to 2028, utilizing a fund of approximately 300 billion yen to modernize educational facilities and pilot new teaching models.