Vice Principal

Based on the School Education Law, this position is placed in elementary and junior high schools (however, it is not mandatory for some types of schools). It is a managerial position that assists the principal throughout the school, assists the principal (and vice principal), organizes school affairs, and is in charge of the education of children and students as necessary. In addition, in the event of an accident to the principal (or vice principal), the vice principal performs the duties of the principal, and in the event of the principal (or vice principal) being absent, the vice principal performs the duties of the principal (Article 37, Paragraphs 7 and 8 of the School Education Law. This also applies mutatis mutandis to the regulations for junior high schools, etc.). Since the Meiji period, as schools expanded (even before it was legalized), vice principals were placed as assistants to the principal. After World War II, it became important to establish their role and legal status, and in 1957 (Showa 32), regulations regarding vice principals were newly established. However, at the time, it was merely established as a "filler position," and it was not until 1974 that they were clearly established as an independent position under the law. The authority of the vice principal is generally classified into the following categories: assistant principal, school affairs management, and deputy/substitute authority. As a coordinator within the school organization, the vice principal is expected to play a multifaceted role in revitalizing school education. However, there are still many ambiguities regarding the content of his/her duties.

[Masako Koyanagi and Hirofumi Hamada]

Source: Shogakukan Encyclopedia Nipponica About Encyclopedia Nipponica Information | Legend

学校教育法に基づき、小中学校等に置かれる職位（ただし学校種によっては必置ではない）。校長を全校的に補佐する管理職で、校長（および副校長）を助け、校務を整理し、および必要に応じ児童・生徒の教育をつかさどる。また、校長（および副校長）に事故があるときは校長の職務を代理し、校長（および副校長）が欠けたときは校長の職務を行う（学校教育法37条第7、8項。中学校等の規定でも準用される）。明治以降、学校規模の拡大等に伴って（法制化されなかった時期も）校長の補佐役として置かれていた。第二次世界大戦後はその役割と法的地位の確立が重要とされ、1957年（昭和32）に教頭についての規定が新設された。しかし当時は「充(あ)て職」として設置されたにすぎず、独立した職として法律上明確な位置づけを得たのは1974年のことである。教頭の職務権限は、一般に校長補佐権、校務整理権、代理権・代行権に分類される。また学校組織内の調整役として、学校教育活動を活性化するための多面的な活動が期待されている。他方それゆえ、その職務内容にはいまだ曖昧な点が多い。

［小柳雅子・浜田博文］

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