The Tamil Nadu school education department has issued a directive to chief and district education officers to ensure that physical education (PE) classes for students from class VI to XII are conducted without fail. Additionally, officials have been asked to provide details of schools where playgrounds are not being utilized to their full potential.
Review Meeting Sparks Action
The instructions follow a recent review meeting chaired by school education secretary B Chandra Mohan. During the meeting, it was emphasized that schools must hold special coaching classes for students interested in sports and games, as per an official release.
Monitoring School Performance in Sports
The department has also instructed district PE inspectors to furnish chief education officers with information about schools that have achieved distinction at state and national level sports competitions. An official from the school education department stated, "While classes VI to XII do have PE classes, there are instances where a different subject teacher takes over the class. The department does not encourage such activities."
Curriculum and Guidebook Implementation
Physical education directors and teachers in respective schools have been directed to follow the prescribed curriculum when 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.
Association Welcomes Move, Highlights Gaps
PE associations have welcomed the directive but point out several gaps that need to be addressed for effective implementation. 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. In addition, more than 500 high schools do not have PE teachers, and more than 3,500 schools do not have physical director grade-I posts."
Vacancies and Recruitment Issues
He further noted that there are 2,900 high and higher secondary schools where posts have been created but recruitment has not taken place. "The government must first fill the vacancies and then make plans," he added.
