Government Grants Medical Schools Autonomy in Approving Student Leave Amid Ongoing Protest.

Seoul: The education ministry has announced a significant policy shift, allowing medical schools the autonomy to approve academic leave requests from students. This decision comes in the wake of a prolonged boycott by medical students, who have been protesting against the government's plan to increase the medical school admission quota. According to Yonhap News Agency, Education Minister Lee Ju-ho made this announcement during a meeting with the presidents of 40 universities that house medical schools. The minister's decision aims to encourage students to return to their studies and bring normalcy back to medical school classes, which have been disrupted by the ongoing protests. The boycott was sparked by the government's decision to increase the enrollment quota by approximately 1,500 seats starting next year. The ministry's previous stance required that academic leave be granted only on the condition that students return the following year. However, due to mounting pressure from both the doctors' communit y and university presidents, the ministry has now permitted universities to independently decide on granting academic leave for personal reasons, without the stipulation of a return date. This move is seen as a response to the unwavering stance of the boycotting students, who have shown little inclination to resume classes under the current conditions. The decision is expected to provide a temporary resolution to the ongoing conflict, offering students the flexibility they have been demanding.