Education ministry: Look at IT health risks

The Yomiuri Shimbun

The education ministry has urged a full examination of health hazards and other problems that may be caused by electronic textbooks and other Internet tools before their use is promoted in schools.

The issue appeared in an outline plan on the use of electronic technology in education drawn up by the Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology Ministry and submitted to an expert panel Wednesday.

The ministry also urged investigations on the effects these tools have on learning.

The outline seems to reflect ministry caution toward a proposal from the Internal Affairs and Communications Ministry to provide tools that can access the Internet to all primary and middle school students as early as 2015.

The communications ministry took the lead in proposing the use of e-textbooks and other computer- and Internet-based educational materials.

The education ministry's outline plan acknowledged the importance of using information communication technology, clearly saying it is imperative for schools to make use of it.

However, it emphasized that such technologies have limitations, and stressed the importance of real educational experiences and personal contact with teachers.

The education ministry called for a careful approach to the technology by considering any possible negative influences.

The outline plan suggested introducing the technologies at some schools on a trial basis to determine what school years they should be introduced, to verify their safety and to establish guidelines for safe use.