Parent seeks extra time for narcoleptic student at college exams

High school seniors take a mock test for the college examination. Yonhap

By Jung Hae-myoung

A parent of a narcoleptic student has challenged an education ministry decision not to grant the student special consideration at college entrance exams.

Narcolepsy is a neurological disorder in which a person suddenly falls asleep.

The parent filed a petition with the National Human Rights Commission of Korea (NHRCK) against the decision.

The NHRCK advised the ministry to grant the request at the 2019 college exam in Korea, but the ministry refused. It said the students can take the test in a separate room but it was hard to give them extra time.

“Students with narcolepsy cannot take the test in the same conditions as others do due to their disorder,” the NHRCK said, taking it as a case for equal opportunity.