NPO HELLOlife to Implement 3rd "Hataraku Free School" Workplace Experience Program for Truant Students, Offering New Learning Options

NPO HELLOlife (Nishi-ku, Osaka), with the cooperation of Tokyu Fudosan SC Management (Abeno Q's Mall, Morinomiya Q's Mall BASE) and a grant from the Nippon Foundation, will implement the "Hataraku Free School" workplace experience program for truant students for one month starting June 16 (Tuesday). The program will be held at Abeno Q's Mall and Morinomiya Q's Mall BASE. The Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology emphasizes expanding career options and supporting social independence for truant students (Ref. 1: 2019 "Regarding the Ideal State of Support for Truant Students (Notification)"; Ref. 2: FY2022 "Summary of Survey Results on Student Problem Behavior, Truancy, and Other Student Guidance Issues"). Article 5, Paragraph 2 of the Fundamental Law of Education also states the importance of fostering the foundation for independent living in society as a purpose of compulsory education. In this context, with approximately 300,000 truant students nationwide in FY2022, ensuring diverse learning and future-connecting options for all children is increasingly important. "Hataraku Free School" is designed based on this policy to support the early stages of career development for truant and truancy-prone students from elementary 4th grade to junior high 3rd grade. Through "working" experiences, the program aims to connect students with society, help them gain self-efficacy, and clarify their interests. By providing realistic "working" experiences in actual companies and stores, this program serves as a "new learning option" outside of school and an "educational approach contributing to career formation," encouraging children's confidence recovery and reconnection with society and education. The Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology's Course of Study emphasizes understanding the significance of learning and working, realizing the preciousness of life, and fostering desirable work ethics and professional views as the meaning of workplace experience, valuing it as an opportunity to learn about the mechanisms of real society. NPO HELLOlife, the organizer, has a track record in employment support primarily for young people. This program is designed and implemented by career consultants, certified psychologists, and peer counselors with experience in truancy support in public elementary and junior high schools. It aims to help students proactively consider their future paths and achieve career development towards occupational independence. Through engagement with real work environments, children gain practical learning opportunities to connect with society, develop self-efficacy and social skills, fostering their ability and confidence to engage with society in future career choices and contributing to the development of foundational skills for self-determination and occupational independence. Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology surveys indicate that during periods of significant environmental change, such as after long holidays or at the start of a new school year, children tend to feel anxiety or difficulty attending school, leading to an increase in truancy consultations. Media representatives are requested to cooperate in covering and publishing articles about this project to reach many people as an option during such times. Program Details: 1-month course: Capacity 25 students x 4 classes. Includes 3 school sessions (2 hours each, once a week) + workplace experience (approx. 3 hours between 10:00-18:00 in the 3rd week at cooperating tenants in Abeno Q's Mall/Morinomiya Q's Mall BASE). 1-day course: Workplace experience only. Capacity approx. 20 students. Conducted simultaneously with the 3rd week workplace experience of the 1-month course. Target: Truant or truancy-prone elementary 4th grade to junior high 3rd grade students. Implementation Period: June-July 2026. 1-month course specific dates: W class: June 16, 23, July 7 (Tuesday) 13:00-15:00 + 3rd week workplace experience. O class: June 16, 23, July 7 (Tuesday) 16:00-18:00 + 3rd week workplace experience. R class: June 17, 24, July 8 (Wednesday) 10:15-12:15 + 3rd week workplace experience. K class: June 17, 24, (July 8 implied) + 3rd week workplace experience.