Number of Allowed Absence Days for Student Athletes' Training and Competition Participation Reduced... "Guaranteeing Right to Learn"

Restriction on Participation in Competitions if Minimum Academic Standards Not Met
Evaluation of Academic Grades and Attendance in College Admissions
Competition Schedule Shifted to Weekends During Semester
Regular Surveys on Student-Athlete Harm Conducted

On the afternoon of July 9, a banner urging a thorough investigation into the incident involving the late triathlon national athlete Choi Sook-hyun was hung along the roadside in Chilgok-gun, Gyeongbuk, the hometown of Choi. [Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Gong Byung-sun] Measures are being promoted to guarantee the athletic and academic rights of student athletes and to protect them from violence.

The Ministry of Education discussed the "Measures to Strengthen the Protection of Student Athletes' Human Rights" with related ministries at the 21st Social Relations Ministers' Meeting and announced it on the 11th.

This policy comes in response to recent incidents of violence against student athletes. In a comprehensive survey on violence involving student athletes conducted by the Ministry of Education in July and August, 680 student athletes reported being victims, revealing unreported cases.

Overall measures will be established to improve the academic conditions of student athletes. The Ministry of Education decided to gradually adjust the allowable number of absences for student athletes participating in competitions and training. For middle school student athletes, the allowable absence days will be reduced from 30 to 15 days. Additionally, the minimum academic achievement system will be strengthened, and students who do not meet the standard will be restricted from participating in competitions. In college admissions, school life including academic grades and attendance will be evaluated in a balanced manner. The current approximately 30% reflection rate of school records will be increased to over 40%.

The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism plans to expand the shift of competitions held during the semester to weekends to guarantee the learning rights of student athletes. According to last year's data, the proportion of weekday competitions was 51%, and the Ministry aims to reduce it to 43% in 2022. To ensure rest rights, competitions and training during extreme heat and cold periods will be minimized, and student protection guidelines will be established.

The expertise of sports instructors will be enhanced, and punishment for perpetrators will be strengthened. Sports instructors will be required to hold qualifications mandatorily, and movement to other sports organizations will be blocked through qualification cancellation or suspension. To prevent harm, CCTV will be installed at vulnerable points within school sports facilities, and regular surveys on violence against student athletes will be conducted. Furthermore, human rights education for student athletes and instructors will be made mandatory to raise human rights sensitivity in the sports community.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.