Survey Results on Educators' Opinions: How Should 'Discretionary Time' Be Used?

Key facts

  • Survey Results on Educators' Opinions: How Should 'Discretionary Time' Be Used?
  • School Voice Project, an NPO, conducted a survey on the proposed 'discretionary time' in Japan's revised curriculum guidelines. 80% of educators support its introduction, with strong preferences for using it for lesson preparation, rest, and professional development.
  • Source: PR Times
  • Date: June 16, 2026

Direct answer

School Voice Project, an NPO, conducted a survey on the proposed 'discretionary time' in Japan's revised curriculum guidelines. 80% of educators support its introduction, with strong preferences for using it for lesson preparation, rest, and professional development.

Citation
Survey Results on Educators' Opinions: How Should 'Discretionary Time' Be Used? (June 16, 2026), PR Times
Source
PR Times
Date
June 16, 2026
School Voice Project, an NPO, conducted a survey on the proposed 'discretionary time' in Japan's revised curriculum guidelines. 80% of educators support its introduction, with strong preferences for using it for lesson preparation, rest, and professional development.
調査出典：PR Times

📋 Article Processing Timeline

  • 📰 Published: June 16, 2026 at 23:27
  • 🔍 Collected: June 16, 2026 at 14:36
  • 🤖 AI Analyzed: June 16, 2026 at 16:01 (1h 24m after Collected)
As part of discussions by a special committee revising Japan's Course of Study, a proposal has been made to introduce 'discretionary time' within the annual standard of 1,015 class hours. Regarding the use of this discretionary time, NPO School Voice Project collected and analyzed survey responses from educators to summarize their opinions. It refers to time created by schools freely reducing class hours for subjects, which can then be used for other activities. Proposed uses include academic support for students and teacher training, with various applications also suggested by frontline educators. Reference: Status of Deliberations by the Special Committee on Curriculum Planning Survey Overview ■ Target: Educators working at general schools (elementary to high school level) nationwide ■ Period: July 4, 2025 (Fri) – August 25, 2025 (Mon) ■ Method: Online survey (survey questions available [here]) ■ Responses: 56 Survey Results Q1. Do you support the introduction of 'discretionary time'? Overall, 80% supported, 13% opposed, and 7% selected 'other,' indicating majority support. By school type, elementary schools showed 79% support and junior high schools 81%, both high rates. Among high schools and other types with fewer respondents, all 7 respondents (excluding those who said 'already have discretionary time') answered 'support'. Main opinions from supporters: Want to use it flexibly according to our school's specific challenges. [Elementary School, Teacher] Support if no pre-defined use or reporting is required. It would be good to freely use it for lesson preparation that's currently done carelessly, or for counseling students of concern. [High School, Teacher] Main opinions from opponents: Rather than deliberately creating discretionary time, we'd prefer reducing standard class hours so teachers can spend time on material research, rest, or training. Creating 'discretionary time' will raise expectations from parents. The Ministry of Education should reduce workload and standard class hours instead of adding extra time. [Elementary School, Teacher] Unless the original curriculum content is reduced, any effort is futile. Adding time for hiring or other purposes only complicates things without benefit. The curriculum guidelines from the 'relaxed education' era were the best. [Elementary School, Teacher] Main responses from those selecting 'other': We already allocate discretionary time. [Elementary School, Teacher] Not sure. Can't visualize it. [Secondary Education School, Teacher] Depends on how it's used. [Elementary School, Principal] Q2. Regarding the amount of 'discretionary time,' what duration do you consider ideal? The option 'about 20% (approximately 1 hour per day or 1 day per week)' was selected by 41% of respondents, the highest proportion. Meanwhile, options like 'about 10% (half a day per week)' and 'about 40% (2 hours per day or 2 days per week)' were chosen by 14% and 18% respectively, showing diverse opinions. No significant differences were observed across school types. Q3. How should 'discretionary time' be used to improve schools? Please select the necessity of the following items. The option receiving the most positive responses was 'allocating time for teachers' lesson preparation,' with 92% answering 'very necessary' or 'somewhat necessary.' This was followed by 'allowing students to go home early to reduce their burden' (84%), 'allocating time for teachers' rest' (82%), and 'teacher training,' all exceeding 80% positive responses. Conversely, the option with the most negative responses was 'using it for club activities,' with 94% answering 'not very necessary' or 'not necessary.' This was followed by 'school events' (71%) and 'other extracurricular activities (e.g., committee activities)' (66%). When analyzed by school type, while 'allocating time for teachers' lesson preparation' received consistently high positive responses across all types, some variations appeared in other options. For example, 'other extracurricular activities (e.g., committee activities)' received a majority of positive responses only in junior high schools. For 'using time for subjects with insufficient class hours,' only high schools showed a majority of positive responses. Similarly, for 'providing remedial lessons or academic support for specific students' and 'parent-teacher conferences,' the proportion of positive responses in high schools was significantly higher than in other school types. Q4. Please share your thoughts on the merits, implementation methods, or other aspects of 'discretionary time.' Opinions on teacher activities and work-life balance: To improve students' academic performance, teachers need flexibility to engage in self-directed learning. [Junior High School, Teacher] This idea might not be socially accepted (it may seem like schools are having too much fun), but I want to prioritize enhancing the appeal of teachers who educate children. We should create a system where teachers complete their duties within working hours and use their free time for self-improvement. Currently, teachers interact with students and conduct classes in a make-do manner due to lack of time. With more flexibility and proper preparation, education itself will become more attractive. [Elementary School, Principal] Opinions on student activities and learning: I want this time to allow children to freely pursue what they're interested in. Current class hours are too rigid, making it impossible to allocate time for topics children genuinely care about or find interesting. We should significantly reduce curriculum content so we can incorporate discretionary time with sufficient leeway. Otherwise, it will just end up as supplementary classes for subjects that couldn't finish their textbooks. [Elementary School, Teacher] Opinions on reviewing current curriculum content and guidelines: We already allocate time flexibly at teachers' discretion due to scheduling conflicts with school events and field trips. Without this, current curriculum and textbook content are so extensive that some content remains untaught. Improving curriculum overload must come before introducing discretionary time; otherwise, it's meaningless. [Elementary School, Teacher] Rather than increasing time, reduce subject content and allocate that time as discretionary hours. Increase the amount of time children can use freely (think, plan, and execute). [Elementary School, Teacher] Other comprehensive opinions: It should be usable according to each school's actual situation, and we should value children's right to express their opinions. [Elementary School, Teacher] I hope this time allows both children and teachers to live happily. [Elementary School, Teacher] Summary Regarding the introduction of 'discretionary time,' 80% supported, 13% opposed, and 7% selected 'other,' showing majority support. By school type, 79% of elementary school teachers, 81% of junior high school teachers, and 88% of high school and other school types supported it, all showing high rates. On the ideal proportion of 'discretionary time,' 41% chose 'about 20% (1 hour per day or 1 day per week),' the most common response. Meanwhile, options like 'about 10% (half a day per week)' and 'about 40% (2 hours per day or 2 days per week)' were also selected by over 10% of respondents, indicating diverse opinions.

FAQ

What is 'discretionary time' in schools?

It allows schools to reduce mandatory class hours and use the time for student support, teacher prep, or rest.

Who participated in the survey?

56 teachers from elementary to high schools across Japan participated between July and August 2025.

What is the ideal amount of discretionary time?

41% chose 'about 20% (1 hour daily or 1 day weekly)' as optimal.

How do teachers want to use discretionary time?

92% want it for lesson preparation, followed by student relief, rest, and training.

Is there support for using it in club activities?

94% said it's unnecessary, showing very low support for club use.

Back to Newsroom (6)