Student athletes with low grades cannot compete in sports

By Baek Byung-yeul

Middle and high school student-athletes who perform poorly academically will be required to take additional online classes, the Ministry of Education announced Monday.

The education ministry will operate an “e-School” system to encourage student-athletes to both study and train.

Comprised of six subjects ― Korean, English, math, science, social studies and a subject introducing possible careers in the fields of sports ― student-athletes who perform poorly in academics must take the online classes for up to 60 hours per semester.

The ministry said 127 middle and high schools in Korea are scheduled to adopt the e-School system on a trial basis starting this year and all middle and high schools will adopt the system next year.

“This system is to ensure that student-athletes meet the minimum academic standards, as many of them are struggling with managing both their studies and their sports,” the ministry explained in a statement.

Student-athletes attending middle and high schools specializing in sports can take their online classes in the school’s computer lab while those attending the general middle and high schools can choose to take their online classes either at home or at school.

The e-School system applies to student-athletes enrolled between the fourth grade of elementary school to juniors in high school this year. The range will be extended to high school seniors starting next year.

To be exempt from the e-School system, student athletes are required to reach at least 50 percent of the average exam score in Korean, English, math, social studies and science while they are in elementary school; for middle school student-athletes, 40 percent of the average exam score; and for high school student athletes, 30 percent in Korean, English and math.