FEC.71-Japanese Education.

Reference our FEC.51 paragraph 2.We have had great difficulty in
reaching an acceptable compromise. State Department desired to
emphasise decentralisation. S.C.A.P. wanted Commission to
prescribe as little detail as possible. New Zealand desired
locally-elected bodies to control education, but Australia has
received very strong support from Canada.

2. Following compromise has now been worked out, which is
acceptable to U.S.A.

'Japanese Government should exercise such control over the
educational system as will ensure the objectives of the
occupation, particularly the reforms called for by this policy
decision. Subject to the foregoing and to the maintenance of
standards prescribed by the Government, the responsibility for the
local administration of educational establishments should in due
time be decentralised. Where practicable, parents and other local
citizens should be associated in the control, development and work
of the schools and other educational institutions.'

The Australian representative will state our views in detail at
F.E.C. meeting which adopts paper, so that they may be forwarded
to S.C.A.P. for his guidance as to degree and timing of
decentralisation. [1]