Where has All the Physical Education Gone? Results of a Generalist Primary Schools Teachers- Survey on Teaching Physical Education

Concerns about low levels of children-s physical activity and motor skill development, prompted the Ministry of Education to trial a physical activity pilot project (PAPP) in 16 New Zealand primary schools. The project comprised professional development and training in physical education for lead teachers and introduced four physical activity coordinators to liaise with and increase physical activity opportunities in the pilot schools. A survey of generalist teachers (128 baseline, 155 post-intervention) from these schools looked at timetabled physical activity sessions and issues related to teaching physical education. The authors calculated means and standard deviations of data relating to timetabled PE sessions and used a one-way analysis of variance to determine significant differences. Results indicated time devoted to physical activity related subjects significantly increased over the course of the intervention. Teacher-s reported improved confidence and competence, which resulted in an improvement in quality physical education delivered more often.

• Vicki Cowley
• Michael J. Hamlin
• Michael Grimley

• children
• physical education
• primary school
• teaching

[1] Ministry of Education, The New Zealand Curriculum. Wellington, NZ:
Learning Media, 2007.
[2] P. Morgan, "Teachers perceptions of physical education in the primary
school: Attitudes, values and curriculum preferences," in Physical
Educator, vol. 65 (1), 2008, pp. 46-57.
[3] Department of Education, Primary School Syllabuses: Physical
Education. Wellington, NZ: Government Printer, 1953.
[4] Department of Education, Physical Education Syllabus for Junior
Classes to Form 7, with Guidelines for Early Childhood Education.
Wellington, NZ: Government Printer, 1987.
[5] Ministry of Education, Health and Physical Education. Wellington, NZ:
Learning Media, 1999.
[6] J. Ross, and V. Cowley, "Just how much physical education are students
getting? Part 1: Junior levels to form two," in Journal of Physical
Education New Zealand, 28 (1), 1995, pp. 3-8.
[7] Ministry of Education, National Education Guidelines. Wellington, NZ:
Ministry of Education, 2004, available at: www.minedu.got.nz
[8] Graham Report, Getting set for an active nation: Report of the sport,
fitness and leisure ministerial taskforce, 2001, available at
www.sparc.org.nz/Documents/Publications/graham%20report/grahamreport-
sparc.pdf
[9] K. Hardman, and J. J. Marshall, "Physical Education in schools:
Preliminary findings of a worldwide survey," Part II. International
Council for Health, Physical Education, Recreation, Sport and Dance,
36(4), 2000, pp. 8-12.Ministry of Education, Evaluation of the Pilot
Primary Schools Physical Activity Project: Final Report. Wellington,
NZ. Learning Media, 2005.
[10] Ministry of Education, Physical Activity for Healthy Confident Kids:
Guidelines for Sustainable Physical Activity in School Communities.
Wellington, NZ: Learning Media, 2007.
[11] Sport and Recreation New Zealand, Active Schools Tool Kit.
Wellington, NZ: SPARC, 2006.
[12] Education Review Office, Kiwisport in Schools. National Report, 2010,
available at www.ero.govt.nz/National-Reports/Kiwisport-in-Schools-
November-2010
[13] V. Cowley, M. J. Hamlin, M. Grimley, J. Hargreaves, and C. Price,
"Children's fundamental movement skills: Are our children ready to
play?" Delhi, India: 14th Commonwealth International Sports Science
Congress (CISSC 2010), 27-30 Sept. 2010, in British Journal of Sport
Medicine (BJSM): The Journal of Sport and Exercise Medicine, 44,
Supp 1, 2010, pp. i11-i12