– 80 percent of all schools to have physical education programmes by 2013
This year’s National School’s Physical Display Championships, held at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall, saw the best of skills and innovation from Guyana’s children, moulded by dedicated instructors.
Administrator of the Education Ministry’s Allied Arts Unit, Mrs. Desiree Wyles-Ogle, addressed the gathering of students, teachers and other stakeholders, and made it clear that by 2013, some 80 percent of schools across the country will have physical education programmes on stream.
She noted that there has been progress in revamping the physical education programme in schools, and pointed to the fact that physical education is now examinable at the Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) level.
“In 2005 we had two students sit the exam for CSEC, and last year we had 11 schools with more that 300 students involved,” Wyles-Ogle said.
The Allied Arts Unit Administrator noted that there are several initiatives planned to advance this form of expressive arts, which contribute significantly to the rounded development of an individual.
She said the Ministry of Education’s programmes address a student’s development in its entirety- academic, social, emotional and physical.
Wyles-Ogle added that the championships is the ministry’s way of contributing to Guyana’s Independence celebrations and the performances reflected much excitement under two categories, combination and pyramids.

ENERGETIC

The performers came from every education district, with the exception of Regions Eight (Potaro/ Siparuni) and Nine (Upper Takutu/ Upper Essequibo).
The general consensus among the onlookers was that the performances were of a generally high standard.
New at this year’s nationals was a jump rope exhibition routine done by students from St. Pius Primary School.
The new routine is expected to be part of next year’s physical display competitions.
Senior Physical Education Officer, Ms. Allison Rawlins, contends that several other initiatives are planned for 2011 to get more schools and teachers on board with the Physical Education drive.
Rawlins explained that the teachers out of CPCE have the training and the workshops are further assisting to ensure that theory is put into practice.
“Physical Education is a timetabled subject so there is no excuse for not having it done in schools,” she said.

Rawlins, as well as the Allied Arts Unit Administrator and other education sector stakeholders, agreed that there is no doubt a link between physical education and the overall health of students.
In Guyana, some 60 percent of the population is overweight, and another 31 percent is obese.
Physical Education is part of the ministry’s 2008-2013 Education Strategic Plan, which seeks to ensure that the discipline is present in all the education districts throughout the country.