WINDHOEK – National Coordinator of the Namibia Schools Sport Union (NSSU) Solly Duiker bemoans the alarming downward spiral in the quality of physical education (PE) being taught in Namibian schools, if it is taught at all, saying if the current trend continues, PE in most schools is destined for a natural death.
Speaking to New Era Sport yesterday, Duiker said the NSSU has for the past few years done everything in its power to rejuvenate PE in schools but unfortunately the country’s education system does not assist this cause by identifying and producing specialised teachers in the subject since physical education is not a compulsory course at colleges or universities.
Thus, Duiker says, the time is ripe for the educational authorities to revisit policies towards making physical education a compulsory subject at schools and to train teachers that will strictly focus on the subject in schools as opposed to the current situation where say, mathematics teachers are obliged to double up as PE teachers, making it extremely bothersome for teachers to execute their duties properly.
“If we make PE a compulsory subject in all schools, as a sdubject to be passed, I promise you it will be to the great benefit of learners and the entire Namibian sports fraternity. But before we achieve that, we first have to equip and prepare our teachers properly so that they can at least acquire basic knowledge on the importance of sport at school level,” emphasised the long serving sports administrator.
Many Namibian schools shy away from physical education classes in favour of strict academic focus, which seems like a reasonable and necessary thing to do but it will cause more harm than good in the long run, he said. Global studies have proved that physical education in schools directly betters academic performance and learners’ attitude and approach towards their studies.
Additionally, studies have also revealed that physical activity as taught in physical education can assist in the prevention of risky behaviour like smoking, drugs and alcohol abuse, early pregnancies and unhealthy eating habits, amongst other negative social behaviour.
By Otniel Hembapu