Marine Plastic Educational Materials from Tsushima Seibu Junior High School Reach Classrooms in Nepal

The NPO Nakayoshi Gakuen Project (Representative: Yuichi Nakamura, Matsudo City, Chiba) conducted classes in June 2026 in Rupandehi District, Lumbini Province, Nepal, utilizing picture book materials on marine plastic issues created by students of Tsushima Seibu Junior High School in Nagasaki Prefecture. In these classes, the picture books were used to explain marine debris washing up on the shores of Tsushima and the impact of marine plastics on the local environment and people's lives. Furthermore, the project introduced flying discs made from recycled marine plastic, provided by partner Dolphin Papa Co., Ltd., delivering a circular educational practice that 'transforms discarded items into learning and sports materials' to local students and teachers. Through the 'Learning Connected to the World Project,' which collaborates with schools nationwide, Nakayoshi Gakuen is advancing initiatives to implement and utilize materials created by Japanese students in overseas classrooms, rather than simply sending them as donations. In this Nepal practice, the marine plastic issue, which students at Tsushima Seibu Junior High School have addressed as a local challenge, was converted into materials understandable to children in Nepal, including those in landlocked areas. The lessons expanded learning through common themes such as 'waste,' 'resources,' 'environment,' and 'the future of the region.' By using materials created by Japanese middle school students in overseas classrooms, learning is not confined to Japan but connected to the global educational field. Nakayoshi Gakuen calls this cycle 'Learning's Homecoming,' building a system where materials created by Japanese children are utilized locally, and the reactions and results are returned to Japanese classrooms. In addition to the picture books, the classes featured the flying discs from Dolphin Papa Co., Ltd. These discs, made from recycled marine plastic, serve as materials that allow students to not only learn about environmental issues as knowledge but also to touch, play with, and experience them. For Nepalese students, marine plastic issues might feel distant from their daily lives. However, through the example of recycled materials being reborn as sports equipment, environmental issues were perceived not as 'distant ocean problems' but as 'challenges connected to their own lives and future.' The flying discs also serve as materials that can be enjoyed across borders and languages. Through physical activities such as throwing, catching, and cooperating, the project created a space for learning that transcends environmental education, sports, and international understanding. This practice was part of a school visit and model lesson held on June 1, 2026, at Jana Jagriti Secondary School in the Karwani area of the Omsatiya Rural Municipality, Rupandehi District, Lumbini Province, Nepal. Nakayoshi Gakuen was invited to a rally commemorating the 70th anniversary of Japan-Nepal diplomatic relations, where its achievements in education support, peacebuilding, and disaster relief were recognized. Following an introduction by Mr. Usa Giri, an advisor to the Nepalese government, the organization was requested to cooperate in educational support activities within Nepal, specifically introducing Japanese-style education models, inquiry-based learning, and peace education in public schools. In response, Representative Yuichi Nakamura and Secretary-General Rie Nakamura were dispatched to Nepal from May 29 to June 8, 2026, to conduct activities in Kathmandu and Lumbini Province. Nakayoshi Gakuen sets KPIs to confirm the impact on local educators, measuring effectiveness through six perspectives: material implementation, student reach, teacher reach, educational administration reach, expansion of learning themes, and feedback to Japan. The organization emphasizes 'reproducible learning,' where students who receive the lesson can explain it to others. During this visit, students who heard the explanation of marine plastic issues and the recycled flying discs were seen demonstrating the materials to teachers who arrived later. This shows that the materials function as 'reproducible learning' that students can understand, explain, and pass on. Through such design, Nakayoshi Gakuen aims to create a continuous cycle of learning within local schools even with limited visits. Representative Yuichi Nakamura commented: 'The learning created by Tsushima Seibu Junior High students, who looked at the sea of Tsushima and thought about marine plastic issues, was used as teaching material in Nepalese classrooms. We do not just 'send' or 'deliver' works created by Japanese children. We implement them into the learning of local children, use them on the spot, receive reactions, and return them to Japanese classrooms. This is Nakayoshi Gakuen's 'Learning Connected to the World.' When the learning about marine plastics born in Tsushima reaches children in Nepal, environmental issues become a shared future challenge for the world, not just a local one. For Japanese middle school students, it is a great experience to realize that their learning is useful to someone in the world. Educational support is not about giving things, but about sparking learning. We will continue to implement learning born in schools across Japan in global fields and return the results to Japanese children.' Moving forward, Nakayoshi Gakuen will continue its educational support in Nepal and utilize materials created by schools across Japan in local educational settings. The organization will record feedback from local teachers and administrators and organize it as KPIs. Furthermore, for participating schools in Japan, including Tsushima Seibu Junior High, the project will provide feedback through photos, videos, and lesson records, leading to '3R-Forum' lectures (Return, Reflect & Redesign) where students can realize that 'their learning has connected with the world.' Nakayoshi Gakuen will continue to evolve learning from 'wishing for peace' to 'acting for peace,' expanding educational practices that connect Japanese classrooms with global fields.