Question : Sports and Physical Education

(a) whether the Government proposes the inclusion of Sports and Physical Education marks
in aggregate marks along with Mathematics, Science and English for admission at
the primary to secondary, higher secondary level or for higher studies to make sports a
part of academics;
(b) if so, the details thereof;
(c) whether the Government proposes to take steps to make a fixed duration for physical
activity mandatory on daily basis in all the Government and private schools/ colleges in
the country in view of the decreasing health standards due to lack of physical activities
among the children;
(d) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor;
(e) whether the Government is aware that in many schools in the country there is no regular
physical activity as was there in earlier days when it was mandatory in schools,
especially in NCT of Delhi; and
(f) if so, the details thereof along with the reaction of the Government thereto?

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT
(Dr. SATYA PAL SINGH)
(a) and (b) : As per the National Curriculum Framework (NCF)-2005, Health & Physical
Education is a compulsory subject area from class I to X and optional subject at Senior Secondary
stage. However, ‘education’, being a subject in the Concurrent List of the Constitution and
majority of Schools being under the jurisdiction of the State/ Union Territory (UT) Governments,
it is for the respective State/UT Governments to take a decision to accord it equal status with
other subjects.
(c ) and (d): The NCF-2005 focuses on participation of all children in free play, formal and
informal games, yoga and sports activities as essential for their physical and psycho-social
development. Whereas, all students must be involved in Health & Physical Education activities,
those who choose to excel in games and sports need to be provided adequate opportunities.
However, it is for the respective State/UT Governments to take appropriate steps to make a fixed
duration for physical activities mandatory in their schools. So far as the Central Board of
Secondary Education (CBSE) affiliated schools are concerned, the Board has already introduced
a curriculum for mainstreaming Health and Physical Education (HPE) for classes IX to XII w.e.f.
Session 2018-19. Circulars were issued to schools to reserve one period everyday for Health and
Physical Education for classes IX to XII. Detailed guidelines for implementing the HPE are
available on CBSE website.
(e) and (f): As the subject ‘education’ is in the Concurrent List of the Constitution and
majority of schools are under the jurisdiction of the State/ Union Territory (UT) Governments, it
is for the respective State/UT Governments to ensure that physical activities are regularly
undertaken in their schools. The Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi has informed
that physical activities/games & sports are compulsory in their schools upto class X. Physical
Education Teachers/Yoga teachers have been deployed in their Government Schools to conduct
sports related activities.
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