South Korea Middle School Physical Education Curriculum

The South Korean Middle School Physical Education curriculum, as part of the 2015 National Curriculum, aims to foster a balanced development of mind and body, promote social-emotional skills, and encourage healthy and active lifestyles.

Curriculum Structure and Implementation:

• Physical Education: This core subject is mandatory for all students from grades 1 through 3. It is allocated 272 instructional hours over the three years of middle school. Each instructional hour is equivalent to 45 minutes, but this can be adjusted based on various factors such as weather, student development, and school circumstances.
• School Sports Club Activities: As part of Creative Experiential Activities, these clubs aim to enhance physical development and social-emotional learning. They are offered every semester, with a minimum of 34 hours and a maximum of 68 hours per year, totaling 136 hours over three years. Schools offering 68 hours annually can substitute up to 34 hours of regular Physical Education time for club activities. The time for club activities can be sourced by reducing instructional hours of other subjects (up to 20%) or increasing the time allocated for Creative Experiential Activities. Schools must offer at least two different club options to ensure student choice.
• Exam-Free Semester: Middle schools implement one exam-free semester to promote self-directed learning, exploration of aptitudes and career paths, and the joy of learning. During this semester, Physical Education and Creative Experiential Activities are adapted to align with the semester's objectives. Experiential learning, such as career exploration, thematic activities, club activities, arts, and physical activities, are emphasized, often in collaboration with local communities. Assessment during this semester focuses on the learning process rather than traditional exams.
• Curriculum Flexibility: Schools have autonomy in scheduling courses and adjusting instructional hours within a 20% range for each subject. However, the allocated time for Physical Education and Arts cannot be reduced. This flexibility allows schools to tailor the curriculum to their specific context and student needs.

Implementation Timeline:

The 2015 National Curriculum was implemented in phases: the 3rd grade Middle School curriculum began on March 1, 2020.