An Empirical Study on the Fluctuation of Popular Control in the New Board of Education System in Japan

2023 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 20K02426
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Review Section: Basic Section 09010:Education-related
• Research Institution: The University of Tokyo
• Principal Investigator: Murakami Yusuke 東京大学, 大学院教育学研究科(教育学部), 教授 (00423434)
• Project Period (FY): 2020-04-01 – 2024-03-31
• Keywords: 教育委員会 / 民衆統制（素人統制） / 首長 / 教育長 / 教育委員 / コロナ禍

Outline of Final Research Achievements

The research project was immediately affected by the corona disaster, leading to a major revision of the research schedule. New issues emerged during this time, including the relationship between the head of government and the board of education when schools were simultaneously closed due to the corona disaster. We also investigated the impact of policy decisions made during the disaster, such as the simultaneous closure of schools, and observed the complex relationships among the mayors, superintendents, and school board members. Our analysis revealed a disparity between the legal and institutional authority of the mayors, superintendents, and school board members and the actual situation. While the limited influence of school board members is evident, it is questionable whether they are completely powerless.

Free Research Field

教育行政学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

本研究は、2015年度から施行された新教育委員会制度において、その制度理念である民衆統制機能の変容を検証したものである。特にコロナ禍では、首長、教育長の影響力が大きく、一斉休校のような重要な意思決定において合議体の教育委員会が軽視されていることが明らかにとなった。他方で、合議体の教育委員会が全く無力とまではいえず、先行研究で指摘されるような合議体の教育委員会の無力化・形骸化が妥当な理解であるかは引き続き検証が必要である。