Physical education in the primary school : a suitable case for treatment?

Abstract

This dissertation has been concerned with illustrating the present situation regarding the standards of teaching physical education in local primary schools. A study, carried out amongst serving primary teachers has focused on the professional preparation of teachers for the teaching of physical education, the schools' provision of facilities and equipment, commitment to in service courses and the attitude of teachers to physical education as a subject of value in the overall education of children. The early part of the dissertation begins with some observations about the place of physical education as a curriculum subject and acknowledges the increasing concern of physical educationists with the standards of physical education teaching in primary schools. The review of literature addresses the question of how physical education can contribute to the aims of education. The contributions of gymnastics, dance, games and athletics to a child's development have also been referred to. The research design and an analysis of the teachers' questionnaire comprise Chapters 3 and 4. Results indicate that significant numbers of staff involved in the teaching of physical education have reservations about their adequacy in this area. In the concluding chapter, suggestions based mainly on the results obtained are put forward which, if put into practice, are aimed at improving the general quality of physical education teaching in local primary schools.