Confusion mars implementation of health, physical edu guidelines

Naina Mishra

Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, April 26

Various schools have started gearing-up for the Central Board Secondary Education’s (CBSE) guidelines which makes “Health and Physical Education” (HPE) period mandatory for students of Class IX to XII.

To ensure smooth implementation, the CBSE has prepared a 150-page manual detailing sports guidelines and methodologies.

Principal of Nankana Public School Harmeet Kaur said, “Arranging a special HPE period for students of senior classes is a difficult task as they prepare for competitive exams. However, we have clubbed the HPE and Physical Education period. Class IX to XII students would get half an hour in the morning for physical activities.”

Vandana Shahi, principal, BCM School, Basant Avenue, said, “Initially, we thought it would be tough to incorporate theory and practical aspects of HPE. However, we came to know that HPE is totally practical. If we come out of shackles of curriculum, physical activity is important for students. The Zero period has been rearranged and has been made a part of HPE.”

Principal of BCM Arya Shastri Nagar Paramjit Kaur said, “Strength of students in school is on the higher side and our ground has limited space, but we are working on modalities related to HPE period, so that every student gets a chance for physical activity under the curriculum. We would hold yoga and meditation sessions for students.”

The format of “Health and Activity Card” would be available on the CBSE website shortly. It would make every teacher in the CBSE affiliated school eligible for implementing and record keeping of HPE.