Student Golf Players Show Steady Growth Over 3 Years... 8% Increase in 3 Years
Education Ministry's Guidelines Still Reduce 'Recognized Absence Days'
"Concerns Over Students Abandoning Studies... Need to Reflect Reality"
[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Seo-hee] Although the number of student golf players nationwide has increased since COVID-19, there are criticisms that the Ministry of Education's policies remain "at a standstill." This is because the Ministry's significantly reduced "number of excused absences" intended to protect student athletes' right to learn is hindering their free participation in tournaments and training.
According to the registration statistics for athletes announced by the Korea Golf Association on the 4th, the number of student athletes under 19 years old increased by more than 8% over three years, from 1,848 in 2019 to 1,860 in 2020, and 2,022 last year. This is interpreted as a result of increased interest in junior golf as the golf population grew due to COVID-19.
However, it is still not easy for student athletes to freely participate in competitions and training. This is because in November last year, the Ministry of Education announced a plan to reduce the number of excused absences allowed to protect student athletes' right to learn.
According to the Ministry of Education guidelines, the previously recognized number of excused absences for student athletes to participate in competitions and training is now limited to 0 days for elementary school, 10 days for middle school, and 20 days for high school. Compared to the previous relatively lenient allowances of 10 days for elementary school, 15 days for middle school, and 30 days for high school, this is a significant reduction. Furthermore, from 2023, weekday participation in competitions and training for elementary, middle, and high school students is completely prohibited.
The problem is that student golf tournaments are relatively held on weekdays when golf course rental fees are cheaper. Currently, about 20 student golf tournaments organized by the Korea Golf Association and the Korea Middle and High School Golf Federation are held on weekdays. This is why some voices complain that golf players are forced to give up tournament participation due to being tied down by their studies.
Kim Jae-geun, former KPGA committee member, said, "In fact, the players I coached had strong voices that attendance should be recognized by schools at least during competitions," adding, "If the Ministry of Education overregulates, there is a high possibility of side effects where students leave school entirely or give up their studies."
Meanwhile, there is growing interest in whether the autonomy of student athletes will expand as the Ministry of Education and 17 metropolitan and provincial offices of education are recently moving to ease the attendance recognition system. In October, the Ministry of Education and the metropolitan and provincial offices of education held the second public forum on school sports education to prepare improvement measures for the student athlete protection system, gathering figures from the sports and education sectors.
Kim said, "Many students devote themselves to sports from a young age, but in reality, less than 1% succeed as golf players. Therefore, considering their future, it is right to guarantee a certain level of learning rights," but advised, "The issue is how to harmonize this without being too detached from reality."
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