Meta School Association (tentative name).
As the number of participating organizations continues to grow,
we had originally planned to start as a voluntary organization, but
since the number of participating organizations exceeded our expectations, we have decided at the last minute to establish it as a registered incorporated association from the outset.
With that in mind, although it is still a draft, we have prepared a statement of purpose (draft).

Meta School Association: Statement of Purpose (Draft)

The shortage of IT professionals has been an issue in our country for the past 30 years. However, as IT has permeated all aspects of society and the economy in recent years, the demand for IT professionals has been rising not only in the IT and content industries but across all industrial sectors.
. At the same time, combined with a shrinking workforce, securing these professionals has become an increasingly serious challenge.
　Furthermore, the Fourth Industrial Revolution—driven by AI, IoT, and other technologies—is considered to be the “fifth wave of civilizational renewal,” following hunting, agriculture, industry, and information,
and is regarded as the fifth major transformation of civilization—Society 5.0. It is expected that the ability to master IT and, based on that, create new value will become an essential competency not only in industry but in all aspects of society, culture, and daily life, for everyone.

　In 2020, the government announced a policy to establish learning environments in elementary and middle schools equipped with digital devices and digital textbooks,
and indicated its intention to make programming a required subject. New educational environments for the modern era are also being developed, such as
the enhancement of online education at universities, the establishment of professional universities to cultivate IT professionals ready for immediate deployment, and the expansion
.
　The education business sector is also becoming increasingly active under the umbrella term “EdTech.” Not only education-related companies, but also firms in telecommunications, IT, gaming, and toys are entering the market one after another to provide hardware and software. The use of digital technology is advancing in cram schools, distance learning, and at home.There is also a succession of entries into the programming education business, including the opening of programming classrooms and the development of teaching aids. Services that incorporate big data—such as learning histories—and AI into teaching material development are also being offered, and the environment for home and extracurricular learning is undergoing a transformation.

However, in terms of the digitization and IT adoption in education, Japan lags behind other nations.In elementary schools, the ratio of information devices is one per six students, placing Japan at the lowest level among OECD countries in terms of IT utilization. Beyond improving the IT infrastructure, there are many other challenges, such as curriculum development and teacher training. While other countries are prioritizing computer science education—including programming—and STEAM education, and are moving toward cloud computing, social media use, and the utilization of big data, Japan lags far behind.
media, and the use of big data, Japan lags far behind.

Moreover, the shift toward digitalization is entering the next stage—digital transformation and smart technology—and there is no doubt that a series of technological trends, including AI, IoT,
robotics, and blockchain, will sweep into the field of education.
　Education has evolved alongside technological progress. The invention of movable-type printing gave rise to textbooks and established the teaching method of classroom instruction. In the 20th century, new media such as film, radio, and television were utilized in education. In the 21st century, IT and AI are transforming the type of talent society demands
, which in turn is revolutionizing education.

A new era is one of constant change. It is a society that demands lifelong learning—from children to seniors. Both inside and outside of schools—in homes, workplaces, and communities—we must create learning environments through organic connections.
　We must focus our efforts on developing learning and educational environments and pioneer new frontiers. We should address two key areas: the development of IT education infrastructure and the development of cutting-edge AI and IoT education—pursuing both efforts to catch up with global standards and initiatives to lead the world.
　This is also an attempt to envision “Meta Schools”—learning environments that transcend the boundaries of traditional schools.
Designs that place all learners at the center are required. To achieve this, it is crucial to bring together the collective wisdom of the private sector—particularly those with an interest in this field—and take action.

*Reference) Meta School Association
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