The Tamil Nadu school education department has issued a directive to chief and district education officers to ensure that physical education (PE) lessons for students in Classes VI to XII are conducted without fail. The department has also sought details of schools where playgrounds are not being utilized properly.
Background of the Directive
The instructions follow a recent review meeting chaired by school education secretary B Chandra Mohan with department officials. During the meeting, the importance of physical education and sports in schools was emphasized. Chief educational officers (CEOs) have been instructed to ensure that schools organize special coaching classes for students interested in sports and games to identify and nurture talent, according to a government release.
Monitoring and Reporting
The department has directed district PE inspectors to provide CEOs with details of schools that have achieved distinction at state and national level contests. An official from the school education department stated, “While Classes VI-XII do have PE classes, there are instances where other teachers take over the time. The department does not encourage such activities.”
Curriculum and Training
Physical education directors and teachers in respective schools have been told to follow the prescribed curriculum while training students. Last year, the department released a PE guidebook for teachers, designed in line with the curriculum. However, PE teachers across the state are yet to receive hard copies of the book.
Reactions from Associations
PE associations have welcomed the move but point out several gaps that need to be addressed. S Sankaraperumal, president of the Tamil Nadu Physical Education Teachers and Physical Directors Association, told TOI, “There are no PE teacher posts in about 9,000 middle schools. More than 500 high schools do not have PE teachers, and more than 3,500 schools do not have physical director grade-I posts.” He also noted that there are 2,900 high and higher secondary schools where posts were created, but recruitment has not yet taken place.
The association has urged the government to fill these vacancies and provide the necessary resources to ensure effective implementation of physical education programs across the state.
