What school traditions from around the world teach us about different cultures

Schools are microcosms of the society and culture they exist within. So one of the best ways for students to learn more about another culture is to look at the school traditions there.

From Japan, where students clean up their own classrooms and common areas, to Ghana, where students come to school in vibrant traditional dress on Fridays, school traditions highlight the values and beliefs of each culture, and give your students an insight into the lives of other schoolchildren around the world.

Exploring these customs and how they reflect the wider world context helps students build cultural awareness, value diversity, and ultimately become global citizens.

Here are some school traditions from different countries to share with your students - and perhaps even try out in your own classroom!

School traditions and their cultural significance

1. O-soji in Japan

In Japanese schools, students practise o-soji – where they clean their classrooms, corridors, and school grounds daily. O-soji teaches students discipline, to work in teams, and to take ownership of their environment.

This tradition reflects a dedication to harmony and responsibility in Japanese culture, where everyone works together to make sure public spaces and services are kept and work as intended.

2. National flag ceremonies in Mexico

Every Monday, Mexican schools hold a ceremony to honour the national flag. Teachers and students gather to collectively salute the flag, often also singing the national anthem and giving speeches on civic issues.

By engaging in this weekly ritual, students develop a sense of patriotism and collective identity. The ceremony reflects the importance of national pride and civic duty in Mexican culture and solidifies the school as a central hub for community collaboration.

3. Schultüte in Germany

When German children start first grade, they receive a Schultüte, a large, colourful cone filled with school supplies, small toys, and sweets. Parents give the cone to their kids as a way to mark the first day of school and make it an exciting and positive experience for them.

The tradition of the Schultüte goes back centuries and has been kept alive even through periods of wartime or Depression – with parents filling the cone with potatoes or nothing at all during difficult times. This historical tradition shows the importance of rites of passage and celebrating childhood milestones in German culture. And it surely must help with getting students out of bed after a long summer break!

4. Pōwhiri in New Zealand

In many New Zealand schools, new students, teachers, or visitors are greeted with a traditional Māori welcome ceremony, called pōwhiri. The ceremony includes a call of welcome, formal speeches, songs, and sometimes a haka – a Māori posture dance.

Schools perform this ritual as a way to honour Māori customs and the country’s rich cultural heritage. The ceremony reflects New Zealand’s commitment to integrating indigenous culture into society, as well as its appreciation for Māori principles of hospitality and care for others.

5. Yoga and meditation in India

In India, the school day begins with a morning assembly that includes prayers, speeches, and often yoga or meditation sessions. Starting the day this way promotes mental, spiritual, and physical wellbeing in students, setting a positive tone in the school environment.

This school tradition reflects India’s rich cultural heritage and values, where people adopt the ancient spiritual practices of yoga and meditation to nurture the mind and body. If you feel inspired, mindfulness and meditation are great tools to bring into your classroom and even practise yourself throughout the school day.

6. ‘Friday Wear’ in Ghana

In Ghana, citizens are invited to dress in traditional attire on Fridays, called “Friday Wear”, to promote Ghanaian-made clothing and celebrate the country’s cultural heritage. This initiative was launched more than 20 years ago, and has become widespread, so much so that “Friday wear” is used to refer to traditional fabrics and designs.

Many schools participate in the tradition, with students and teachers alike coming to school in locally-crafted, indigenous textiles. Incorporating traditional dress into the school week fosters a sense of identity and cultural pride in students and indeed in wider Ghanaian society.

7. Long lunch breaks in France

Students in French schools enjoy a lunch break of up to two hours to split up their long day of classes. During the break, they savour a nutritious, multi-course meal and have ample time to socialise and relax with classmates. This reflects France’s deep-rooted food culture and the value placed on social dining, where it's rare to find even office workers taking less than an hour for lunch.

Enjoying food is a foundational part of French culture – as is work-life balance – and a long lunch break in schools allows students to fully rest and take their mind off their studies. We love the idea of teaching students to socialise over meals and truly enjoy their food.

8. Orange Shirt Day in Canada

Every 30th of September, Orange Shirt Day takes place in Canadian schools, to remember the indigenous children that were sent to residential schools. Students and teachers wear orange shirts, listen to indigenous speakers, and have conversations about the historical injustices of the residential school system.

This practice reflects Canada’s ongoing commitment to truth and reconciliation with indigenous communities and instills the importance of acknowledging history and fostering inclusivity in students.

Classrooms as a window to the world

While a single school tradition cannot tell us everything we need to know about a society, it can give us an insight into the values and norms of different cultures and countries. By holding discussions and activities around these traditions in your classroom, you can spark students’ curiosity about the lives of other students in different countries around the world.

You can even share a tradition you experienced while at school, and ask students to reflect on which ones they’d like to adopt!

Further reading

Would you like to celebrate diversity and multiculturalism in your classroom? Read Five ways to foster global citizenship in your classroom, The key to culturally responsive teaching: get to know your students, and Representation matters: Nine diverse books for secondary school students.