Japan’s Quake-Stricken Kumamoto Gets Help from Teacher Support Teams
KUMAMOTO — Teams of teachers and other staff from across Japan have begun their work supporting teachers in Kumamoto Prefecture, which was struck last month by an earthquake that registered the maximum 7 on the Japanese seismic intensity scale.
Japan’s Kumamoto Prefecture is receiving assistance from teacher support teams in the aftermath of a devastating earthquake that struck the region last month. The Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology Ministry introduced a system called Disaster Education Support Teams, or D-ESTs, in 2024 to dispatch educators and staff to disaster-affected areas. Thirteen prefectures currently have these teams in place to provide school support and mental health care for children.
The recent 7.0 magnitude earthquake caused extensive damage to schools and homes, leaving many teachers and staff unable to return to work due to the destruction of their residences. This has resulted in a severe shortage of personnel ahead of the second term, which commences after the summer break.
On Wednesday, three members from the D-EST of Okayama Prefecture arrived at Daini Junior High School in Yatsushiro, a town in Kumamoto Prefecture where approximately 2,500 homes were damaged. Principal Koichi Kusumoto expressed his concerns about the potential inability to hold classes in the second term due to the absence of teachers.
D-EST member Ryohei Moriyasu assessed the school facilities and indicated that hard labor tasks like moving desks and chairs may be necessary, as they aim to tailor their support to the local needs.
Okayama Prefecture plans to send an additional five D-EST members to the school starting Monday, while Hyogo Prefecture, which experienced the 1995 Great Hanshin Earthquake, initiated the first school support team in 2000, followed by EARTH (Emergency and Rescue Team by school staff in Hyogo). After the 2024 Noto Peninsula Earthquake, teams from five prefectures provided support to affected regions.
Kumamoto Prefecture itself will dispatch its D-EST to Hikawa, while Hyogo and Mie Prefectures will assist the cities of Uki and Uto, respectively. Saitama Prefecture is currently coordinating the dispatch of its D-EST team.
Written by urgent.news from The Japan News by The Yomiuri Shimbun's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
