A subcommittee of the Central Council for Education, the education ministry's advisory body, has drafted a proposal to designate digital textbooks as official educational materials. The proposed measure is expected to be introduced in the 2030 academic year, and like paper textbooks, digital textbooks will be subject to official certification and free distribution.

It is being called into question how the digitalization of textbooks can lead to the improvement of learning quality.

Local education boards are to choose whether their schools will use only paper textbooks, just digital textbooks, or both.

Digital textbooks have already been introduced as "alternative materials" in subjects such as English and math in elementary and junior high schools in Japan.

As digital learning materials can utilize animations and audio on tablets and other devices, they have the advantage of making class content easier to understand. For example, students can move shapes around on the screen to deepen their understanding of mathematics, or repeat listening and speaking exercises in English at their own pace.

Sharing information within the classroom also becomes easier with digitalization. What students write in their digital textbooks can be displayed on electronic blackboards or devices, allowing them to engage with each other's opinions and perspectives.

There are also features such as text enlargement and read-aloud capabilities, making digital textbooks more accessible for students with disabilities.

However, a lot of challenges remain. According to an academic 2023 survey by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology on elementary and junior high schools that introduced digital textbooks ahead of other institutions, only 13% of teachers used them regularly in class. Training teachers who can effectively use these tools is an urgent task.

There have been cases where class time is reduced due to problems with device connectivity. A stable communication environment in classrooms is essential.

Consideration must also be given to children studying at home. Measures should be taken so economic disparities don't keep anyone from accessing these learning resources at home.

Concerns about potential worsening of children's eyesight have also been raised. Teachers need to guide students to avoid prolonged screen time.

Meanwhile, paper textbooks have the advantage of providing an overview of study content. Some argue that paper formats are better suited for long reading comprehension and other skills that require concentration.

The main goal is to develop children's abilities. By carefully considering the characteristics of both digital and paper textbooks, Japan should strive to pursue an educational approach that makes the most of both formats' advantages.