Children clean the classroom, and clubs are for those who want them
清掃と部活動
- Applies to
- All of Japan
- Source last checked
- , Open the Japanese source
- Official source
- 外国人児童生徒のための就学ガイドブック（文部科学省）
Two things in a Japanese school day surprise families who are new to them. The Ministry of Education's guidebook for foreign children describes both as the usual pattern.
Cleaning
Students share the cleaning (清掃, sōji) of the rooms and the grounds they use. A class note that puts your child on cleaning duty is asking for that share of the work. The guidebook does not name a fine for missing it. If the child cannot do the day, tell the class teacher.
Clubs
Children who want to can join a sports or culture club (部活動, bukatsudō) after school. The guidebook says it is for those who wish to. It does not say every child must join, and it does not name a fee. The school's own club note is the one that lists days, kit, and cost.
Elementary schools more often have a shorter after-school group than this junior-high style club. The ward's after-school childcare club (学童) is a different application, for working parents, and is not this club.
Your child's dates, not the general ones
Add your child and ward. The timeline does the rest.