Transcript: Ken & Joab - A Comparison
NARRATOR Ken is now in third grade at Saho Elementary. He has not missed a single day this year, and often arrives early to play with his friends.
HIROAKI ONISHI This project was very well done, and very detailed, Miss Nagano.
NARRATOR This year, Ken's class has embarked on an independent study, Sogo Gakusyu, required in all public schools in Japan.
HIROAKI ONISHI I want my students to have fun. I'm not talking about fun in a superficial sense. I always want to help my students to learn on their own and become interested in things.
NARRATOR Mr. Onishi asked his students to do firsthand research on a business or public place in the community, and report their findings to the class.
The project was called Pride of Saho.
CAPTION The woman who makes noodles at the noodle factory.
NARRATOR Japan expected so much of their students for so long that they've relaxed their requirements in recent years — self correcting for too much pressure.
KIYOFUMI NAKAMURO It was thought that Japanese school children were forced to study too hard. Therefore there are no classes on Saturdays anymore.
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NARRATOR Often the first to arrive in the morning, Joab has been back in school for one year, and has just started fourth grade.
Like children throughout the world, he's learning English, math, and social studies. His curriculum also covers the health crisis that has affected nearly every child in the school.
Since his return, Joab has been chosen as prefect, or class monitor.
JOAB ONYANDO Hey Josephine, sit down. Jones, sit down. Hey you, Ondinyo, sit down.
BESTA NYAKUNDI When I asked the other peoples to select a prefect for me, in fact they gave me his name, because they know he works.
JOAB ONYANDO I like being chosen to be a prefect. I can help our teacher even if our teacher is not in school.
TEACHER Can somebody else tell me another province that we have in Kenya?
JOAB ONYANDO Central Province.
TEACHER Very good.
NARRATOR This year there are 92 in Joab's class, and he ranks third among them.