Radhika
Social Work
May 2025
Student-athletes in classes 6 to 12 face unique academic challenges due to the demands of balancing sports commitments with academic responsibilities. This study aims to explore the academic difficulties encountered by these students, focusing on time management, academic performance, and the level of institutional and peer support available to them. Data were collected from 40 parents of student-athletes through structured Google Forms, including both quantitative and qualitative questions. The findings reveal that the most common challenges include reduced study time, difficulty completing homework, frequent absenteeism, and increased academic stress. Sports schedules were shown to significantly impact academic engagement, with many students missing classes and having limited time for self-study. Institutional support was found to be inadequate, with a lack of flexibility from teachers and insufficient school-provided tutoring and counselling. Parent suggestions emphasized the need for flexible scheduling, better coordination between teachers and coaches, and enhanced mental health support. This study highlights the need for educational institutions to improve support systems to help student-athletes balance their dual roles effectively, ensuring their success in both academics and sports.
320- 332
© Airo Journals 2021
