PE lessons at school down to one a week
A number of primary school children are missing one of their two weekly physical education lessons after six visiting teachers dropped out unexpectedly.
The Education Ministry confirmed that some primary state school children were getting only one of their two weekly lessons, after six peripatetic PE teachers changed jobs or took long leave.
Meanwhile, the Directorate for Educational Services has conducted two sets of interviews with prospective teachers, and is going through the selection process.
“It is unfortunate that members of the teaching staff decide to move out of their jobs shortly after the beginning of the scholastic year without prior notice as this invariably plays havoc with timetables and staff placements decided upon before the students start school,” a spokesman said.
While one of these two weekly PE lessons is the responsibility of the class teacher – and there is currently no shortage of primary class teachers – peripatetic PE teachers are responsible for the other lesson.
The spokesman added that the affected schools form part of St Nicholas and St Theresa College, but parents of St Anne primary school, Marsascala, which forms part of the St Thomas Moore College cluster have also noticed that their children where only having one weekly PE lesson.
This drop in PE lessons came at a time when awareness campaigns are focusing on the importance of leading a healthy and active lifestyle from an early life.
When contacted, the Health Ministry reiterated that the teachers’ resignations led to a decrease of PE lessons in some schools, but this was something “no ministry can control”.
The Health Ministry was asked what it was doing to ensure children got their allocated exercise.
A spokesman said the Government has been underlining the importance of an active lifestyle and daily exercise throughout its legislature and invested in policies like the National Obesity strategy.
“Physical exercise is central to all of this. In fact, access to places like the free open-air gyms, such as the ones in Żabbar, Mellieħa and Ta’ Qali, and a considerable increase in open air spaces, such as the parks at Xrobb l-Għaġin, Salini, and the Ta’ Qali extension are all realities forming part of this holistic approach.”
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Mr J Xerri
Nov 18th 2012, 14:35
Up to a few years ago the primary school class teacher was responsible for both PE lessons. Before change this the Authorities should have made sure that they have enough PE teachers to go around schools. This is a clear case of lack of planning by the Educational Authorities
Paul Pulis
Nov 18th 2012, 11:39
Substituting the teachers that have left is only a short term solution. May I give my professional advice to look into the reasons why teachers are dropping out, what are the conditions in which they work, the attitude of certain Head teachers, the duplication/overlapping of work by the SPU and the professional development of these teachers.
Chrissey Zammit
Nov 18th 2012, 11:15
Do Malta want to be a country of OBESE people ? if not the goverment needs to address this without saying " WHAT can we do" action is needed with immediate effect.
Godfrey Spiteri
Nov 18th 2012, 10:45
I think it's about time someone at the Education division realize that the peripatetic PE teachers system is not working. Why don't we employ full time teachers of PE, Art, Dram etc. in schools. If each class in a school has 1 lesson per week for each of these topics you'll need full timers in schools. (Assuming 4 classes per year for 6 years)
Eman Pulis
Nov 18th 2012, 10:28
No better subject that Physical Education can cater for the combined cognitive, emotional and physical development of a child. Let's hope that PE is given its due recognition in the timetable, thus providing the holistic development that each pupil needs.
James Wightman
Nov 18th 2012, 09:54
Take a good look at the fat lady at the Tarxien temples, self fulfilling prophesy or what. Put money in PE and sports and stop this health time bomb now!
Josephine Borg
Nov 18th 2012, 09:28
... In 2012 should have an avanguard approach to sports let alone the rest of the basic subjects including life skills such as PSD?? It's just falling on deaf ears as always!!
Josephine Borg
Nov 18th 2012, 09:28
Bullocks ... Now we are talking ?? What do you expect from poor wages, poor working condition and poor professional approach ??? This happens on every level across every subject. PSD teachers have been left unemployed because many people internally got the job without proper qualification and training. Why not ask why only a few shared number of teachers are employed when Malta as an EU country ..
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