What can be done to make physical education at school popular among students? So that there are not so many people who shun it because they are afraid, they don't like it, they have complexes, and the less they exercise, the worse they feel – physically and mentally. After checking the students' fitness, a special team is formed to change the core curriculum.
Sometimes it's hard to break away from PE. – Sometimes it happens that I stay after school to go to PE classes longer – says Mateusz Piasecki, a student of the 5th Secondary School in Wrocław.
– Now we're in high school, so we have to dance a polonaise every other PE (…), but in general, PE is very nice – says Aleksander Skorupski, a student of the 5th Secondary School in Wrocław.
But not everywhere is so nice. – The world is changing, it is moving forward, (…) but the system of physical education lessons in primary and secondary schools has not really changed – says Kamil Biegański, swimming coach and teacher.
Students are in worse physical condition than before
– There are exemptions from PE, unfortunately they do exist. Obviously, someone wants to finish lessons earlier and is excused from the last PE class – says Klaudia Bułhak, a student of the Secondary School in Gryfice.
Changes – making PE lessons more attractive and encouraging exercise – are needed. Alarming research results were announced at the beginning of September. Students are in worse physical condition than before.
– This is the last moment when we can stop this snowball that is growing – comments prof. Bartosz Molik, rector of the Academy of Physical Education in Warsaw.
There is no school without them. “The most difficult thing is probably the lack of respect from society”Adrianna Otręba/Fakty TVN
From September next year, a new subject will appear in schools – health education. This necessitates changes to the core curriculum of physical education.
– For a young person, a physical education lesson should be as important an investment in his future as a mathematics or physics lesson – comments the Minister of National Education from the Civic Coalition, Barbara Nowacka.
The ministers of education and sport wanted to know students' expectations regarding PE lessons. At the beginning of the week, they talked about it at a round table in Szczecin. What should change, tells us Zuzia, a participant of the meeting and a fan of roller skating.
– Other grading criteria. Because it is often compared to the best person, it is not the person's progress that is counted – notes Zuzanna Pietrzak, a student of the 1st Secondary School in Szczecin.
Such voices should be useful to teachers and experts who will develop a new PE curriculum. The team will be joined by, among others, Monika Pyrek.
The gym teacher conducted a survey among students and has his own ideas
Without waiting for systemic changes and wanting to suggest something to those in power, Kamil Biegański, a swimming teacher and trainer with many years of experience, conducted an anonymous survey for two months. He asked students from secondary schools in Szczecinek whether they would like to choose physical activity during PE lessons. The overwhelming majority answered “yes.” He sent the applications to Minister Nowacka.
– In grades one-three, there is also a gym teacher who conducts general development classes. In grades four to eight, young people must learn basic sports and activities. In high school, let him (the student – editor's note) choose – says Kamil Biegański.
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The minister's attention has already been drawn to the fact that classes in grades one to three are conducted primarily by early childhood education teachers. – Together with the Minister of Sport, we want these classes to be supported by PE teachers – says Barbara Nowacka.
Every idea is worth attention. After all, everyone wants PE to be a real hit.
Main photo source: TVN24