(a) whether the Government has taken note of the poor state of sports in schools and colleges across the country;
(b) if so, the details thereof and the steps taken to provide better sports facilities in schools and colleges;
(c) whether the Government has taken steps or is planning to integrate sports with academics in the school curriculum; and
(d) if so, the details thereof?
THE MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) FOR SKILL DEVELOPMENT, ENTERPRENEURSHIP, YOUTH AFFAIRS AND SPORTS (SHRI SARBANANDA SONOWAL)
(a)&(b) Primary responsibility for promotion and development of sports including in schools and colleges is that of States, as ‘Sports’ is a State subject. However, the Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports and the Sports Authority of India (SAI) supplement the efforts of the States through its various schemes.
Under the Scheme of Panchayat Yuva Krida Aur Khel Abhiyan (PYKKA) of this Ministry which has now been revised as Rajiv Gandhi Khel Abhiyan (RGKA), a one time capital grant of Rs. 1.00 lac was admissible to the States/Uts for development of playfields at Village Panchayat level and Rs. 5.00 Lacs to develop playfields at Block Panchayat level. Under this scheme, 65943 Village Panchayats and 1988 block panchayats had been covered upto 2013-2014. Most of the playfields under PYKKA have been developed in Schools.
Under the Scheme of Sports and Games for persons with disabilities, grants are provided for engagements of coahes on contract basis @ Rs. 10,000/- per month and procurement of sports equipments upto 75,000/- per annum to identified schools.
Under SAI’ National Sports Talent Contest Scheme (NSTC) and Extension Centres of STC/ SAG Centres, facilities for coaching and equipments are provided to trainees in selected Schools /Colleges.
(c) & (d): The Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education (RTE) Act, 2009, has been enacted, making elementary education a Fundamental Right, which, inter alia, provides for
(i) a play ground for each school;
(ii) A part time instructor for physical education in upper primary school
(iii) Supply of play material, games and sports equipment, as required, to schools.
In terms of the provisions of the RTE Act, no school shall be established or recognized unless it fulfills the norms specified in the Schedule attached to the Act.
Further, Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has made it mandatory for all schools affiliated to it to provide one compulsory period for sports upto 10th class and two periods in a week for classes 11 and 12.