Lessons on the inclusion of the Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics

Students at Tokyo Tomigaya Elementary School were lucky. About 220 participated in the badminton paralympic competition, where they had captured performances by artificial limbs and wheelchair-driven athletes.

One girl said she was impressed by the power of a badminton attack on an athlete with a foot prosthesis. Another student said she was inspired to volunteer at the Olympics and Paralympics as she grew up.

Curriculum for Olympic and Paralympic Schools

As Tokyo prepared for the Games, Japanese schools included the event in the curriculum. The aim was to consider how events contribute to global understanding. Students study the cultures of the countries and regions they represent. Some schools invited athletes to tell their stories and talk about the difficulties they were able to overcome.

Tamura Keiyu, a sixth-grade teacher at Tomigaya Elementary School, led her school’s Paralympic curriculum. It included the best table tennis presentation. Students were also allowed to participate in a wheelchair rugby game.

Tamura said the interaction with athletes with disabilities was a learning experience. “I wanted students to know that there are many different people in our society who work as hard as they do. I hope every student wants to live in an inclusive society.

What students learn

Tamura students said that as the Games approached their end, they had developed a better understanding of eliminating discrimination.

One student pointed out that people with disabilities do not want to be pathetic. Another said he wanted to be involved in eliminating gender and racial discrimination.

Their teacher said that despite the difficulties faced by the organizers, hosting the Olympics and Paralympics in Tokyo was very valuable. One of the legacies of the events could very well be the enlightened attitude of schoolchildren who were able to watch, learn and listen.