Physical education must be provided every day: CBSE

Now physical education is set to get more importance in Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) schools. CBSE has made it mandatory for all affiliated schools to dedicate a period every day for it.

However, with schools racing against time to complete their portion before exams, principals say that having a physical education period every day will be difficult.

A government resolution issued by CBSE chairman Vineet Joshi on October 27, gives unprecedented importance to physical education and sports.

Schools will now have to set aside at least 40-45 minutes for physical activities or games for students of standards I to X daily.

For standards XI and XII, 90 to 120 minutes will have to be dedicated every week for physical education. In the past, CBSE also promoted physical education across all its schools by directing them to set up health and wellness clubs.

But, principals say that the schools cannot afford to waste a period every day for sports especially the higher secondary classes.

“We conduct two physical education periods every week, but it’s not feasible to do it daily. We ask students to exercise during the morning assembly itself,” said Deepshikha Shrivastav, principal of Rajhans Public School, Andheri.

Principals say there is a need to widen the definition of sports to include activities like dance, aerobics, etc.

“Any kind of activity that brings out the energy in the child must be included in sports. These are the activities that children enjoy doing instead of the mundane hand and foot exercises,” said Avnita Bir, principal, RN Podar school, Andheri.

The circular states that children lead happier lives as a result of being actively involved in sporting activities and it has long been established that fitness and improved academic performance go together.

Physical education and sports activities during school hours reduce boredom and help keep students attentive in classrooms.