Choshi City Review Committee Criticizes Kake Gakuen’s Plan to Make Chiba University of Science Public

On the 14th, the first meeting of the review committee set up by Choshi City was held on the 14th, regarding the case of Kake Gakuen (Okayama City), the educational organization that operates Chiba University of Science in Choshi City, Chiba Prefecture, wanted the university to become a public university It was within the city. Committee members criticized the school’s statement that “if we cannot make the school public, we will have no choice but to consider postponing the recruitment of new students from the next academic year,” saying it would prevent discussion. (Tatsu Horiba )

◆ “I would like you to stop making statements like that.”

The committee that decides whether the school should be made public is made up of 10 people, including academics and representatives from local organisations. A final plan will be compiled and reported to Mayor Shinichi Koshikawa by August, and the city will decide on policy.

At the first meeting, when Yoshito Watanabe, the school’s executive director, announced his intention to suspend recruitment, he initially referred to it as a “withdrawal”. When asked by committee members about his responsibility to current students, he changed his words. Committee Chairman Shunpei Yaoita (Dean of Regional Rehabilitation Faculty at Shukutoku University) complained, “It is regrettable that the discussion will be severely limited. I would like you to refrain from making statements like this in the future.”

◆“Potential is below”…being a public school and lowering tuition fees

At universities, the number of new students continues to fall below the number of places available. The school emphasizes that being a public school will reduce tuition fees and make it easier for students to attract students. He gave an example of a public university established in a city with a smaller population than Choshi City, and explained that the number of students enrolled in each case exceeds their capacity.

Chiba University of Science, which Kake Gakuen wants to become a public school

In response, the committee member said, “Most of them are much smaller than Chiba University of Science. attracting applicants from all over the country There is little basis for this.” He also requested that additional materials be submitted, citing a lack of data on business conditions.

◆ “Just because it’s cheaper doesn’t mean people will collect. “

At a press conference after the meeting, Chairman Yaoita said, “With a drop in the birth rate, leaving the public school and reducing tuition fees will not attract more students. are there other options besides making it public.” he said.

Around 120 people attended the first meeting, showing the high level of interest.

Yes