Tokyo, Sept. 28 (Jiji Press)–About 30 pct of children in low-income households took part in no out-of-school activities such as lessons or trips over the past year, a survey showed on Monday. The survey by Chance for Children, a Tokyo-based public interest incorporated association providing educational support, found wide income-based disparities in children’s opportunities for learning through extracurricular activities. The association conducted the survey online in March among 7,374 parents nationwide whose children were in first grade of elementary school through third grade of high school. All respondents provided valid answers. Households with annual incomes below 3 million yen were defined as low-income households. Asked about out-of-school activities over the past year, 30.5 pct of respondents from low-income households said their children had taken part in none, compared with 14.1 pct among households with annual incomes of at least 6 million yen. The activities included lessons, school clubs, volunteer work, travel and visits to arts and cultural events. Annual spending on such activities averaged about 44,000 yen for low-income households, compared with about 117,000 yen for households earning at least 6 million yen. Among low-income households that had reduced spending on out-of-school activities, 76.5 pct cited rising prices for necessities, indicating the impact of higher living costs. Yusuke Imai, representative director of Chance for Children, said, “Disparities in children’s opportunities for experiences stem from differences in families’ living circumstances.” He called on the national and local governments to provide greater support for financially struggling families and ensure children’s right to learn. END [Copyright The Jiji Press, Ltd.]
