Kim Dae-hyun, the second vice minister of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, recently visited a school to inspect its sports facilities. The visit took place at Oesam Middle School in Daejeon on the 5th, where he observed the activities of school sports clubs and engaged with students and teachers to gather their feedback and suggestions. Following this, he met with representatives from local sports associations and the Office of Education to discuss challenges related to the operation of school sports programs.
During the meeting, participants highlighted various difficulties they faced, including financial constraints in supporting school sports initiatives. They called for increased support to ensure that these programs could run smoothly and effectively. This discussion emphasized the need for better resources and collaboration between different stakeholders to enhance student participation in sports.
According to the 2024 National Sports Participation Rate Survey, 60.7% of citizens engage in physical activities daily. However, only 45.9% of teenagers participate in sports, raising concerns about youth involvement in physical activity. In 2019, the World Health Organization reported that 81.0% of youth did not meet recommended exercise levels, significantly higher than rates in countries like the Philippines (93.4%), Canada (76.3%), and Finland (75.4%). This has led to Korea being labeled as a country with the lowest percentage of teenage physical activity globally.
Vice Minister Kim Dae-hyun, who was an active swimmer and runner during his school years, understands the importance of school sports and the role it plays in shaping lifelong athletic habits. He emphasized that while school sports are crucial for students’ holistic development, participation rates in Korea remain low compared to other age groups and nations. “There is a need for more support to encourage students to engage in sports,” he stated. In response to criticisms that the Ministry of Education and the Office of Education have overlooked school sports, Vice Minister Kim expressed his commitment to revitalizing youth sports regardless of the number of participants.
“The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism will provide necessary support, such as instructors, facilities, and equipment, so that all students can enjoy more than one desired sport activity,” he said. He urged schools, education offices, and sports associations to work together to ensure that students can participate in sports without restrictions.
Key Challenges Identified
- Financial Constraints: Many schools face budget limitations when implementing sports programs.
- Lack of Resources: Insufficient access to trained instructors, facilities, and equipment hampers effective sports activities.
- Low Participation Rates: Only 45.9% of teenagers are involved in sports, indicating a significant gap compared to other countries.
- Need for Collaboration: Improved coordination between schools, education offices, and sports associations is essential.
Steps Being Taken
- Increased Funding: The Ministry is looking into ways to allocate more funds for school sports programs.
- Training Programs: Initiatives to train more sports instructors for schools are being considered.
- Infrastructure Development: Plans to improve sports facilities and equipment in schools are under discussion.
- Community Engagement: Encouraging community involvement in school sports to foster a supportive environment.
Future Goals
- Ensure all students have access to quality sports programs.
- Increase participation rates among teenagers through targeted initiatives.
- Promote a culture of physical activity from an early age.
- Strengthen partnerships between government agencies, schools, and local communities.
By addressing these challenges and implementing these steps, the Ministry aims to create a more inclusive and supportive environment for school sports, ultimately improving the health and well-being of young people across the nation.