Wartime Education Order

This was an education order to prepare for the final battle of the Pacific War. It was promulgated by imperial decree on May 22, 1945 (Showa 20). It was based on the government's "Outline of Educational Measures for the Decisive Battle" in preparation for the predicted battle on the mainland, and in principle, it stipulated that classes at schools, except for elementary schools, would be suspended, and students would be engaged in the defense of the mainland and the increase of production. A special imperial edict called for students to serve in their final service, stating that their duty was to "serve the country with loyalty." It also stipulated that if a student became a soldier while enrolled, or died or was injured during mobilization, he or she would be recognized as having graduated from school, and that teachers and staff would fulfill the duty of "educating students." As a result, student corps were organized at each school, region, and workplace, and education and training in military affairs, air defense, and production was provided, and school education was effectively halted.

[Tokuzo Yoshimura]

Source: Shogakukan Encyclopedia Nipponica About Encyclopedia Nipponica Information | Legend

太平洋戦争末期の決戦体制に即応するための教育令。1945年（昭和20）5月22日、勅令をもって公布された。予測される本土決戦に備えての政府の「決戦教育措置要綱」に基づいたもので、原則として国民学校初等科を除く学校の授業を停止、学徒は本土防衛と生産増強に従事することが示された。特別に付せられた上諭では、学徒に最後の奉公を要請、その本分を「尽忠報国」にあるとしている。また、在学中軍人となったとき、および動員中死亡または傷痍(しょうい)を受けたときは学校卒業と認めること、教職員については「学徒の薫化」の任務を全うすることが定められた。これにより、学校、地域、職場ごとに学徒隊が組織され、軍事、防空、生産に関する教育訓練が施され、学校教育は事実上停止することとなった。

［吉村徳蔵］

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