The choice of Physical Education as an option

Abstract

The main aim of this dissertation was to find out what influences students when it comes to choosing or not choosing PE as an option in local state secondary schools. The researcher also looked into what promotion is given to the subject before the choice is made, and who influences the students during their choice. Six state secondary schools participated in the study. In order to answer the research questions, six semi structured interviews were carried out with six PE option teachers to obtain their opinions about the issue. Moreover, six questionnaires were handed out to six guidance teachers, one from each participating school, and a total of 174 questionnaires were handed out to students. Students who have PE as an option as well as students who do not have PE as one of their option subjects participated. The results show that the students’ interest in the subject and their future career are the most influential factors during subject choice. In addition, the students’ parents are the most influential persons during this process. It was found that different schools use different methods to promote various option subjects. Furthermore, results show that there are still students who choose PE even though they do not know what the subject really is about. With regard to these results, suggestions were made so that schools and teachers could improve their current practices in order to provide the best assistance for the students during the process of subject choice.