Few takers for early college entry

The early enrollment of second-year high school students in universities has attracted few participants in the decade since the system was introduced, according to the Education, Science and Technology Ministry.

This spring, only 10 students nationwide enrolled in universities early, and only 72 participated in the system over the decade.

The system initially was a measure to reform universities, but only six universities have used it so far.

Due to this lack of interest, the ministry has decided not to expand the system, for which only second-year high school students are eligible.

No high school student has applied for early enrollment to Showa Women's University in Setagaya Ward, Tokyo, since its three departments, including the human life sciences department, introduced the system in the 2005 academic year.

A university spokesman said, "We believe we'll eventually get an early enrollment application as long as we keep the door open."

The first early entrant enrolled in Elisabeth University of Music in Hiroshima this spring--three years after the system was introduced.

A university spokesman said: "Better students tend to prefer universities in Tokyo. However, the early entry system helps us to attract talented students earlier than other schools, so we believe the system is a survival measure for provincial universities."

The system was introduced in 1997 to provide youths with education appropriate to their particular personalities and abilities in contrast to the usual egalitarian, uniform education.

Although there were concerns that the system would prompt universities to tap better students earlier, some universities regard the system as an effective way to attract students.

However, in recent years, only an average 10 students a year have taken advantage of early enrollment.

Forty-seven students have entered Chiba University early since it introduced the system in the 1998 academic year, while 21 students have enrolled in Meijo University in Nagoya since the 2001 academic year.

Two students entered Aizu University in Aizu-Wakamatsu, Fukushima Prefecture, and one student each enrolled in Seijo University in Setagaya Ward, Tokyo, and Elisabeth University of Music. The three universities introduced the system between the 2005 and 2006 academic years.

This spring, Chiba University accepted six early entrants, but other universities attracted on average only one student or none under the system.

According to the ministry's survey, in the 2004 academic year, 29 universities discussed introducing the system, but the number dwindled to five in the 2006 academic year.

The ministry has offered several reasons why the system has failed to attract universities and students:

-- The system has few advantages for either universities or individual students.
-- It is difficult to measure the applicants' outstanding qualities, which are required for acceptance as an early entrant.
-- If an early entrant fails to graduate from the university, he or she is only certified as a middle school graduate.

Due to the system's lack of popularity, the ministry has decided for the time being to prohibit younger students from applying, saying it is difficult to evaluate the system's value.

"The early entrant system is necessary to develop work personnel for the country," said Chiba University Prof. Nobuo Ueno, who was involved in the introduction of the system at the university.

"I'd like people to be aware that some youths can develop their capabilities further through a specialized education," He added.

(Apr. 12, 2007)
http://www.yomiuri.co.jp/dy/national/20070412TDY02008.htm