日媒：日本青少年学习能力低？

Core Insights - The recent survey conducted by Japan's Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology indicates a concerning trend of declining academic performance among elementary and junior high school students, with significant drops in language and mathematics scores compared to previous years [1][2] Group 1: Academic Performance Trends - The survey covered 1,200 elementary schools and 1,500 junior high schools, revealing a decline in language and mathematics scores for sixth-grade students and language and English scores for third-year junior high students [1] - The decline in academic performance is attributed to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, which disrupted learning during critical developmental years for the affected students [1] Group 2: Home Environment and Learning Habits - Students reported reduced study time and increased time spent on video games, with an average increase of 20 minutes in smartphone usage during weekdays [2] - The availability of books at home is linked to increased smartphone usage, highlighting the influence of adult lifestyles on children's habits [2] Group 3: Gender Disparities and Educational Engagement - The survey results indicate a decrease in the proportion of students who feel they understand classroom content well, with a notable decline in students studying for more than one hour daily [2] - The first gender-segregated statistics show that while there is little difference in correct answers between boys and girls in mathematics and science, fewer girls consider themselves proficient, suggesting a psychological barrier influenced by societal biases [2]