New Perspectives in Science Education

In Fukushima prefecture which was contaminated by radioactive materials released from the TEPCO Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant accident in March 2011, nuclear power and radiation education is necessary in school education. To better understand the status and issues of nuclear power and radiation education in Fukushima prefecture, the authors conducted a questionnaire survey among the science teachers of Fukushima prefectural junior high schools in 2013, and took interview by phone and questionnaire survey to the boards of education of municipalities in Fukushima prefecture in 2014 and 2015.

In the questionnaire survey among the science teachers, questionnaires were sent to 228 schools, of which 125 responded (response rate: 55 per cent). Responding to the question “Do you feel anxiety about nuclear power and radiation education?”, 79 per cent (99/125) of teachers chose “Anxious” (81/125) or “Very anxious” (18/125). The reason (multiple answers allowed) most commonly given for anxiety was “Difficulties of ensuring fairness” (54/99).

As the results of the interview to the 59 boards of education, 10 municipalities issued original educational materials on radiation, other 5 municipalities had original educational activities. In the questionnaire survey, 32 municipalities responded (response rate: 54 per cent). The more municipalities close to the nuclear power plant, the interest of radiation education tended to be higher. In the original educational materials, there were few contents for discussing about pros and cons of nuclear power plant and noticing to human rights violations in existing exposure situation. As the current problems in the radiation education, “Declining in concern for radiation” was most often selected in any area.

In the nuclear power and radiation education in Fukushima prefecture, it is required that learning the lessons of the Fukushima nuclear accident and preventing a decline in concern for radiation.