Government to Revise Student Athlete Development System Including Minimum Academic Standards

Ministry of Culture and Ministry of Education Hold School Sports Policy Council
Concrete Plans for Establishing Professional Athlete Discovery System
Plans to Enhance Expertise in Elementary School Physical Education Classes

The government is revising the student-athlete development system, including the minimum academic achievement requirement and the number of attendance days recognized for participation in competitions and training.

On the 4th, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and the Ministry of Education held a school sports policy council at the Government Complex Sejong. This meeting was arranged to promote the revitalization of school sports following the decision in April to separate physical education classes for 1st and 2nd graders in elementary school. Vice Minister Jang Mi-ran of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and Vice Minister Oh Seok-hwan of the Ministry of Education attended to discuss on-site support necessary to expand students' physical activity time, improve student health and fitness, foster school sports teams, and operate school sports clubs.

The most notable issue is strengthening support for student-athletes. Since this serves as the foundation leading to professional sports, it is being carefully examined. This includes the minimum academic achievement system, the number of attendance days recognized for participation in competitions and training, establishing a system to discover professional athletes through designated sports clubs and inter-school connections, revitalizing school sports clubs, and strengthening the linkage between recreational sports and professional sports.

In preparation for the separate operation of physical education classes, ways to enhance the professionalism of elementary school physical education classes are also being sought. Specific measures include assigning dedicated physical education teachers, expanding facilities, and increasing physical education training for teachers. Additionally, plans to unify the measurement items of the Student Health and Physical Fitness Evaluation (PAPS) and the 'National Fitness 100' are being explored.

Since the policy council, previously operated at the director-general level, has been elevated to the vice ministerial level, the ministries plan to regularize and operate the council going forward. Vice Minister Jang Mi-ran stated, "School sports not only improve children's physical fitness and provide the joy of physical activity but also teach the values of fair competition and cooperation, serving as a foundation for their growth as socially responsible individuals. We will continue to cooperate with the Ministry of Education to expand sports participation among general students and to activate the discovery and development of professional athletes."