Bridging Educational Gaps and Revitalizing the Local Economy in Rural Areas During the First Year
Strengthening the Program for 2026 with Mandatory Participation and Enhanced Quality
Jeju Special Self-Governing Province is moving forward with preparations to enhance the quality of the "One Student, One Sport Education Program" in 2026, building on the successful implementation of the program for the first time this year.
The "One Student, One Sport Education Program" is a pilot project in the Educational Development Special Zone, jointly promoted by Jeju Province, the Jeju Provincial Office of Education, and the Jeju Sports Council. It supports students in learning a sport of their choice during regular class hours.
This program not only provides elementary school students in Jeju with opportunities to experience a variety of sports, but also addresses educational disparities in rural areas and contributes to the revitalization of the local economy, thereby realizing multiple social values.
Launched for the first time this year, the program received positive feedback from elementary schools and students across the province.
Currently, 801 students from 11 elementary schools in rural areas of the province are learning 19 different sports-including horseback riding, golf, and surfing, which are typically less accessible-during regular school hours.
In particular, the program prioritizes support for "small schools" with fewer than 200 students in rural and township areas, aiming to improve living conditions in outlying regions and make Jeju a more attractive place to live.
The program aims to foster students' holistic growth-physically and emotionally-while also contributing to the local economy by creating jobs for sports instructors in the province and encouraging the use of private sports facilities.
As the operation of the One Student, One Sport Education Program for this year comes to a close, "Sports Day" events are being held at each of the 11 participating schools to introduce all students in every grade to various sports and provide hands-on experiences.
Next year, the focus will be on improving the quality of the program based on lessons learned from the first year. While maintaining the current system of including students' chosen sports in regular classes, a new requirement will be introduced: each student must participate at least 20 times.
In addition, incentives will be offered to this year's participating schools if they apply for the 2026 program, ensuring continuity, and the program will be operated more meticulously, taking annual academic schedules into account to enhance stability.
Furthermore, when selecting schools, different weights will be assigned based on the number of sports offered, the number of times students participate, and whether private sports facilities are used. This approach aims to provide students with more diverse sports experiences and strengthen connections with local sports facilities.
On November 20, Jeju Province will hold a briefing session for elementary school principals and teachers at the Jeju Sports Council regarding the 2026 program, after which participating schools will be selected through an open call by the end of December.
The selected schools will undergo thorough preparation and begin regular classes between March and April next year.
Ryu Ilsun, Director of the Culture, Sports, and Education Bureau of Jeju Province, stated, "The One Student, One Sport Education Program not only offers students a variety of sports experiences but also builds a model of mutual growth for education and the local economy by utilizing local infrastructure and human resources. We will continue to develop this as a leading example nationwide."
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