(a) whether the Government is aware that games and sports are not taken seriously in the schools in the country and if so, the reaction of the Government thereto;
(b) whether the Government is aware of lack of basic sports infrastructure at schools in the country and if so, the reaction of the Government thereto; and
(c) the steps taken/being taken by the Government to make games and sports as an integral part of education system in the country?
THE MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE)
FOR YOUTH AFFAIRS AND SPORTS
(SHRI VIJAY GOEL)
(a) to (c) As per the information provided by Department of School Education & Literacy, 31 % of secondary schools do not have play ground. The said department is implementing the Rashtriya Madhyamik Shiksha Abhiyan (RMSA), a centrally
sponsored Scheme which, inter-alia, recognizes the importance of sports in providing quality secondary education in the country to ensure holistic development of the students. The scheme encourages the States/UTs to focus on sports, culture activities, activity based learning, exposure to life skills with respect to health, nutrition etc. The annual school grant of Rs.50,000/- per annum per school provided under the scheme, has provisions among other components, for sports equipments and uniforms. Further, under the Scheme, sports equipments for 6421 schools and sports tournaments at district level in 296 districts across the country have been approved till date.
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 fulfils 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.
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