New school in Tokyo offers free education for high school dropouts, Net cafe refugees

A cram school operator has opened a special tuition-free school in downtown Tokyo to help so-called "Net cafe refugees", high school dropouts and others who are too poor to graduate from secondary education.

Keisetsu Gijuku in the Sendagaya district of Shibuya-ku, Tokyo, was founded by Shotaro Namekata, 48, and others. School officials say they will offer free education for students wanting to pass the certificate of proficiency for high school graduates.

"There are too few places where (unsuccessful) young people can start over. If they can get a high school graduation certificate, it will expand their range of their options," he said. The school is now accepting applicants.

Namekata, who was born in Saitama Prefecture, was raised by his father, and led a childhood of truancy before deciding to enter university, deciding: "I won't have the confidence to work if I keep going on like this."

Despite teachers claiming it was impossible, he passed the Utsunomiya University School of Education exam on the second try.

"I became able to lead an ordinary life because I studied," he said.

After teaching at a public school for handicapped children, he opened a private school to teach those who refuse to attend school, and two years ago he started teaching at children's institutions.

Namekata discovered that those without a high school education were having difficulties finding secure jobs, prompting him to open Keisetsu Gijuku. Classes are taught by Namekata and three of his former students, including a university student.

It uses a classroom at private Yoyogi High School (which has only a correspondence course) free of charge, and offers a scholarship program in which students can graduate while working at companies linked with the school.

Of the three students at Keisetsu Gijuku, two are single mothers in their 30s and are aiming to be nurses.

Starting in August, the school teaches on Sundays in eight subjects necessary for the examination including English, mathematics and world history. Teachers also teach study methods for the exam.

In principle, Keisetsu Gijuku accepts those aged 15-45 who are employed or seeking employment and have financial difficulties. So-called Net cafe refugees, who have no home and stay overnight at Net cafes are also welcome, school officials said.



Shotaro Namekata at Yoyogi High School in Tokyo.

(Mainichi Japan) September 14, 2008