School education sports policy announced by govt

Avneet Kaur

Jalandhar, June 23

Under the “Padho Punjab Padhao Punjab” project, the Department of Public Instructions (Elementary) has devised a new “School Education Sports Policy 2018” with an aim to boost physical and mental fitness among students in government schools.

Having issued the notice to the schools, the policy has made it mandatory for all students to opt for at least one sports activity in their classes. Besides, students will also have to do 10 exercises or yoga postures in the morning assembly. To monitor the policy in an effective manner, a sports education committees has been formed at the block, zonal, district and inter-district level. The role of these committees will be to conduct tournaments, impart training and provide refreshment to the students.

The policy intends to grade students for which they will be evaluated. The grades will be mentioned in the result cards of the students. Under the policy, the sports funds will be collected from Class XI and XII at Rs 20 per month and for Classes IX and X at Rs15 per month.

Moreover, 15 per cent of the funds collected will be allocated to the primary sports education as well, informed, Inderjit Singh, DPI.

Our purpose to devise sports education policy was that each student should take at least one or two sports. With this students will develop interest in sports and will remain fit. There would be a gap of at least one month in tournaments. For example, the block-level committee will conduct tournaments one month before the district-level tournaments, he added.

He said, “Ensuring maximum student participation in sports activities, teachers have been assigned a special role in recognising and harnessing raw talent of students. Each school will be required to constitute a special committee for executing the sports calendar”. A seven-member committee will also be constituted at the block level and a nine-member committee at the district level before April 15 every year. A panel of umpires will be cleared before the commencement of games.

Harpreet Kaur, a teacher at the government school here said, “It’s a good initiative of the department as sports would not only contribute towards making students fit but also provide them an opportunity to excel in sport of their interest and choice. Being engaged in these activities also keeps students away from drugs and other addictions and rather encourages healthy lifestyle.”