PHYSICAL EDUCATION AND HEALTHFUL ENVIRONMENT IN PRIMARY SCHOOL OF WEST BENGAL AFTER INDEPENDENCE

Abstract

Primary education consists of first years of formal and structural education. Globally, around 70% of primary age children are enrolled in primary education and it is gradually increasing. Under the ‘Education for all’ program by UNESCO, most countries have committed to achieving universal primary education by 2015. Objectives of primary education as indicated by Education Commission: 1964-66 are -Development of language, mental and psychological aspects, health habits; infusion of character traits and value education, inculcation of social culture and dignity of labor are important. In post independent period, West Bengal primary council (WBPC) introduced health and physical education as a subject in the primary school curriculum in 1950. Present study was a survey. A questionnaire was developed with twenty one questions from different areas of Health and Physical education such as syllabus of the
subject, teacher to teach the subject, time slot for the subject in school time table, program, facilities and equipment, budget, and different aspects of school health programs like sanitation, drinking water, midday meal and health check up. One hundred primary schools from nineteen Districts of West Bengal were selected for getting information through questionnaire. The obtained data were analyzed using statistical methods. Results indicated that 38% of the schools did not have correct knowledge about the syllabus of
health and physical education and its proper implementation. There were classes for sports at the end part of the day for about 86% of schools and in most of the cases these were not properly organized. Games period were mostly looked after by either general teacher or no-body. But 62% schools had playground and equipments are available for football, kabaddi athletics, skipping and other such activities. Annual sports are organized in 100% of schools. Drinking water facility was available in 92% of schools. Separate toilet facilities were available in 86% of the schools. Twenty per cent schools did not have the facility for medical check -up. Mid-day meal was organized in 90% of schools. Within the limitations of the study and on the basis of the results obtained, the following conclusions were drawn: Health and physical education was incorporated in primary school syllabus of West Bengal from 1950 but the subject was not properly implemented. Most of the primary schools of West Bengal have minimum required facilities for games and sports but these are not properly utilized due to lack of initiative on the party of school authorities and school administrators. Present state and status of Health and Physical Education in primary schools is not very encouraging.