Though physical training (PT) is considered an important module in the revised pattern of assessment, these classes are getting affected as schools do not have enough space for playgrounds.
To make up for the space crunch, most schools use municipal grounds, private sports associations and gymkhanas, consequently driving up fees.
Schools located in the suburbs, especially the ones that have come up in the last ten years, do not have enough space to accommodate a playground or new sports amenities like a swimming pool, tennis courts, etc. So, many schools outsource this space by using municipal grounds in the neighbourhood or tie up with private sports associations.
The shortage of space affects the frequency of PT classes, says the principal of an Andheri school. “Since grounds are not always available or are far from the school, the regularity of PT classes automatically goes down. Also, though it is mandatory for SSC schools to conduct PT classes at least five times a week, most schools end up taking only three classes of 45 minutes each in a week,” she said.
The cost for PT classes also rises. “We receive complaints from parents about the exorbitant costs that schools charge for these facilities,” said Jayant Jain, president, Forum for Fairness.
“Due to shortage of space today, only convent schools have the luxury of space. We have a small quadrangle in the school where we hold exercises and simple drills. But for football and tennis, we use a municipal ground opposite the school, and for gymnastics we send them to Indian Gymkhana,” said Neha Chheda, principal, Shishuvan, Matunga.
Though schools economise by using municipal playgrounds that are available for free or for lower costs, Kusum Kanwar, head of school operations, Billabong High International School, admits that for sports like swimming, tennis and badminton, schools have no choice but to incur high costs.
“Since we do not have a swimming pool or playground at our school in Santa Cruz, we send the children to Khar Gymkhana. We have to provide buses to and from the gymkhana. We have also appointed lifeguards at the pool. In case of certain sports, there is an additional cost of special coaches for training,” she said.
Some schools have come up with solutions like buying playgrounds through trusts. “Though we do not have space within the school, our trustee owns a playground nearby, so we send our students there with no extra costs,” said Avnita Bir, principal, RA Podar School, Santa Cruz.
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