Of play and personality

NONE CAN deny that for many, the happy hours spent on the playground of schools and colleges have provided an invaluable base to build the personality. No educational system can be perfect if it doesn't incorporate a comprehensive physical education course in its curriculum. The goal should be to create a healthy mind in a healthy body. Educationists and policy-makers need to think in this direction and make sports and physical education a part of the education system. Physical activities help students find an outlet for their energy, that will help them concentrate better in the classroom.

Most of the schools and colleges give importance to physical education, and have a compulsory P.T. class. This also helps in spotting talents in students who are inclined towards sports. But many schools are not able to do much due to the lack of infrastructural facilities, shortage of space, funds, trained instructors etc.

It is the duty of the sports teacher to ensure that every student takes part in the physical education training. Only a few schools and colleges in Chennai are equipped sufficiently in this regard. These and other relevant issues were discussed at the National Conference on Uniform Pattern of Professional Preparation in Physical Education. The conference was organised by the YMCA and was held in the first week of this month at Asha Nivas Social Service Centre, Nungambakkam. A large number of physical education experts, instructors and heads of physical education departments and schools participated. The conference sought to regularise the norms by which training could be given to boys and girls aspiring to enter this field. The participants demanded that a uniform curriculum be followed by all the physical education colleges in the State.

I.V. Manivannan, Education Secretary to the Government of Tamil Nadu, who was the chief guest felt that physical education at the University level should be improved. J.S. Naruka, Vice- Chancellor, L.N.I.P.E. in his key note address, said that sports should be treated on par with other subjects.

Sports could be classified into elite sports, team sports, competitive sports, fitness sports, sky sports, water sports, machine-oriented sports, animal-oriented sports, cosmetic sports, etc. Each needs a different kind of environment for training and development. According to Mr. Naruka, as the school children these days enjoy adventurous sports more, the P.T. teachers find it difficult to motivate them. Besides, physical education seems to be limited to the metros, and here too, it grew only after the New Delhi Asiad Games(1992).

The YMCA has played an invaluable and pioneering role in this field in Tamil Nadu. Founded in 1920, with just five students, it has grown in strength and has produced many experts, trainers, teachers etc.

Major J Victor, honorary correspondent and secretary, YMCA, stresses that the head of the various institutions should take interest in the physical education programme. The teachers should also be committed.

Thanks to the fashion and advertising world, youngsters today are more aware of keeping themselves fit through physical exercises and healthy diet. This means, good business for the mushrooming gyms and exercise parlours. It is a healthy trend and augurs well for the future. The school and college authorities can exploit this trend and encourage students to train in various sports.

There is no ratio between the growing Indian population and the number of sportspersons, which still remains pathetically low. Once people are sensitive to the shortcomings in the education system the physical education programme can be made more effective to create a healthy competition and develop a killer instinct in the youngsters to excel in international sports arena.

SUDHA RAGHAVAN

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