Discussions

At its 29th meeting held at the Government Complex in Seoul, the National Education Commission (NEC) voted on Saturday to revise the national curriculum to separate physical education from 'Joyful Life' in grades 1 and 2, which has been a combination of physical education, music and art, and to create a new integrated curriculum, reflecting a request from the Ministry of Education. It has been 42 years since the 4th Curriculum, which was introduced in 1981, and 35 years since physical education was integrated into the 5th Curriculum, which was introduced in 1989.

The Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism have proposed a special policy to revitalize school physical education as the COVID-19 pandemic has raised serious warning lights on the physical and mental health of students. To promote physical activity during childhood, the ministries decided to separate physical education from "fun life" in grades 1-2 and increase the number of hours of school sports club activities in middle schools from 102 to 136 hours. The Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism presented this as a priority in the Third Basic Plan for the Promotion of School Physical Education (2024-2028) last December, and requested the KSC to deliberate on the 2022 Curriculum Revision Plan.

The success of physical education in South Korea was at stake. The 28th meeting on the 12th was a difficult one, with debate raging over the issue of separating physical education from music and art in 'enjoyable life'. The strong needs and demands from the field, such as students and parents who want to be physically active, were pitted against the negative opinions of some members of the revision committee who supported integrated education. Two weeks later, the issue was revisited. With 17 members in attendance, 14 voted in favor of the separation of physical education at a time when children's physical and mental health is at stake. The amendment, which separates physical activity from "enjoyable life" and creates an integrated curriculum that includes "health and safety," but complements the goals and achievement standards of music and art in "enjoyable life," was passed.

Lee Bae-yong, chairman of the National Education Commission, said, "There is a consensus that physical activity needs to be strengthened for the healthy development of children during their growing years. It is important to provide an environment where physical activity can be actively practiced in the school curriculum," said Lee. On the 25th, Lee personally visited the'Visiting Table Tennis Class' at Gupo Elementary School in Busan to inspect the school sports scene, accompanied by co-chairperson of the National Sports Policy Committee Irisa Lee, and listened to the opinions of school officials through a meeting with school officials. The NSC will promote the establishment and change of the national curriculum so that school sites can organize and operate the curriculum from next year.

The Basic Sports Act, which has been in effect since June 2022, stipulates that 'all citizens have the right to participate freely in sports and physical activities without discrimination and to enjoy sports, the right to sports'. Among developed countries that recognize the value of sports, no other country teaches physical education as an "integrated" subject. The United States, Germany, France, Switzerland, and Japan all have separate physical education classes starting in elementary school, while Australia and Canada have physical education classes starting in kindergarten.

The decision paves the way for South Korean students to enjoy the "right to sport" in school from the time they enter elementary school. The lifelong exercise and health habits that must be instilled in the lower grades of elementary school will now be taught in school classes rather than at a neighborhood gym. A priority policy that can no longer be postponed for the health of 'future generations' of children has finally been passed. Parents, academics, and athletic organizations have welcomed the news of the National Education Commission's decision. Children in grades 1-2 will be able to play on school grounds again.

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