According to a survey by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology, about 3.2% of students enrolled in elementary and junior high schools are said to be absent from school. This means that there is at least one student who is absent from school in every class.
In Kurashiki City, there are children who cannot go to school and children who want to go but cannot. One of the places that has been commissioned by Kurashiki City to provide a space for such children is the "Place for Students Absent from School or Those with Similar Tendencies," which is held every Friday afternoon at Tsurajima Community Center.
The "Place for Students Absent from School or Those with Similar Tendencies" is a project of Kurashiki City, and it is operated by NPO KUKKA.
This article will report on the activities of a certain day.
Place for Students Absent from School or Those with Similar Tendencies
The "Place for Students Absent from School or Those with Similar Tendencies (hereafter: Place)" is open every Friday from 2 PM to 6 PM at the 3rd floor of Tsurajima Community Center.
It is a place where mainly children who are absent from school or have similar tendencies can gather and spend time freely.
For children who usually have little interaction with anyone other than their family, the Place provides a time to interact with others.
Additionally, on the second Friday of each month, a parent gathering is also held on the 2nd floor of Tsurajima Community Center.
How to Spend Time
On a certain Friday in December.
When I arrived at the venue, I was greeted by a staff member with a wonderful smile.
Since it was my first visit that day, I first read the organization's explanatory materials and registered as a volunteer. After that, I was shown around the venue.
During the time the Place is open, the entire 3rd floor of Tsurajima Community Center is reserved. Therefore, children who want to move around can do so in the hall, while those who want to spend time quietly can choose the Japanese-style room, allowing each to select their comfortable place.
While I was listening to the staff's explanation, more and more children began to arrive.
Most of them greeted me cheerfully while curiously looking at me, someone they had just met.
Even though I was nervous, I naturally began to smile.
A Place to "Simply Be There"
Children who are absent from school and their parents may have been hurt by thoughtless words in their daily lives.
What is required of volunteers and staff is not to pry into personal information or give advice, but to simply be there.
I toured the venue with a parent and child who were visiting for the first time that day.
At first, the child could not leave their mother, but gradually began to find activities they wanted to do and became engrossed in them.
Perhaps they gained a sense of security that "here, I can do what I want at my own pace."
As they were leaving, the child, holding their creation carefully, had a slightly brighter expression than when they arrived, and everyone who saw them off smiled with relief.
A Time of Togetherness While Everyone Does What They Like
Since it was close to Christmas, a Christmas party was held in the hall starting at 4 PM.
Of course, participation in this Christmas party was optional.
Around 3:30 PM, the children began to get excited, saying, "The Christmas party is starting soon."
Seeing the children like this, the staff began to individually ask them, "Can you help us?"
What stood out to me was that a girl who was asked to help clearly declined by saying, "I can't do it right now." The staff member who asked her responded with a smile, "I see. Well, I'll ask you again later when we start," naturally accepting her choice.
Because there is a place where she can decide what she wants to do and have that accepted, she can confidently decline. I thought the relationship between the staff and that child was very wonderful.
Even after the Christmas party started, the way the children spent their time varied.
Some children wanted to enjoy games together, while others wanted to relax in the quiet Japanese-style room, and some were curious about the Christmas party but chose to observe without participating...
To ensure that each child could participate comfortably, the staff made individual inquiries, and even though everyone was doing what they liked, a sense of togetherness flowed through the time.
Conclusion
The day I visited the "Place for Students Absent from School or Those with Similar Tendencies" was a cold day with snow falling from the morning, but the 3rd floor of Tsurajima Community Center was a warm space where children could freely engage in activities.
I hope it continues to be an important place for children who do not go to school or cannot go even if they want to.
Data on the Place for Students Absent from School or Those with Similar Tendencies
| Name | Place for Students Absent from School or Those with Similar Tendencies |
|---|---|
| Date of Operation | Every Friday from 2 PM to 6 PM *Closed on community center holidays and when a warning (storm, heavy rain, flood) is issued for Kurashiki City at noon. |
| Location | 497-1 Nishinoura, Tsurajima-cho, Kurashiki City, Okayama Prefecture, 3rd floor |
| Participation Fee (including tax) | Free |
| Website | Place for Students Absent from School or Those with Similar Tendencies (NPO KUKKA) |
