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In order to improve the quality of sports education in schools, the Department of Public Instruction (DPI) may shortly introduce sports as a compulsory subject in the curriculum of government schools. The sports curriculum will be divided into 40 per cent of theory classes and 60 per cent of practical sessions.
The aim is to identify and tap sport potential among students in government schools across the State.
Though many schools have slotted a few sessions for physical education they lack a structured syllabus for sports. “As sports has never been treated as a mainstream discipline, both teachers and students tend to have a casual approach towards it,” said a senior officer of DPI.
In order to underline the importance and seriousness of sports, the DPI will be conducting two exams in a year, thereby ushering a sporting culture in schools.
Sports will be compulsory for students from classes six to tenth. The text book for sports which is now available in Kannada shall soon be translated into seven other medium of instructions soon.
No exams
“Even though Kannada medium schools are holding classes for physical education, no exams are held. This will shortly be changed,” said D S Rajanna, Director of Primary and Secondary Education.
According to Anand Nadgir, Chairman of Text Book Committee, Department of State Education Research and Training (DSERT), the curriculum will familiarise students with rules guiding various sports, provide an introduction of eminent sports personalities like Milkha Singh, teach fundamental principles of Yoga and so on.
“The decision of making sports mandatory will definitely silence critics who claim that government schools cannot groom sportsmen,” observed Nadgir.
The Committee has prepared textbooks as well as an evaluation manual for classes six to tenth.
The department will hold orientation and training sessions for Physical Education instructors. However, officials fear that lack of infrastructure might hamper the implementation of the proposal.