Health & physical education mandatory from Class I
Tribune News Service
Chandigarh, March 16
The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has decided to make health and physical education (HPE) a mandatory course for Classes I to XII with an aim of holistic development of students.
Earlier, it was mandatory for only Classes IX to XII. Now, the board has decided to mainstream the HPE programme for Classes I to VIII as well with effect from the 2019-2020 session.
The primary focus shall be on sports, games and outdoor activities. The board has advised the schools to reserve one period daily for HPE.
“The revised and updated transactional strategies, detailed guidelines and methodology to administer HPE to students will be conveyed to school in a short time,” the board said.
Health and activity card
Last year, the city schools shifted the burden of getting the health and activity cards filled on parents. The schools argued that collecting data regarding blood pressure or blood group was not possible at school, hence they asked parents to get the task done. Parents, on the other hand, lamented that they were exposed to money mongering medical practitioners who were charging heavy amount from them for filling up the form.
A Chandigarh-based parents association also brought forth their concerns to the CBSE Chairman.
For tracking health and activity record, various fitness parameters have been mentioned in the health and activity card. Each parameter has a corresponding test. There were 11 types of tests, which included BMI, partial curl up, flexed bent arm hang, sit and reach, 600-m run, flamingo balance test, shuttle runs and sprint/dash. The other parameters included vision, ears, teeth occlusion, general body measurements, pulse, blood pressure and posture evaluation. The board had even stated, “Unless the schools undertake the HPE seriously and are ready with records of all strands as well as health and activity cards of all students, they will not be allowed to register their candidates for board examinations.”
