Sport in primary education : is it reaching its aims?

Abstract

The leaders of tomorrow are being shaped and moulded now. The lessons we teach the children of today will be with them for the rest of their lives and there is no better place to teach children about the world than on the field of play. (http://www. associated content. corn) Education contributes to the development, advancement and perpetuation of the nation's culture and institutions such as schools, colleges and universities which are clearly powerful and effective institutions for the achievement of intellectual skill, knowledge, understanding, and appreciation. Physical Education (PE) is a phase of the whole educational program which helps in realizing these purposes. (Bucher, 1979, Pg 65) The aim of this paper is to bring to light the major objectives as to why PE and Sport are such an important part of the whole educational process and cross examine the Maltese situation in Primary School children. It highlights the values achieved trough physical activity and also brings to light the aims of physical activities in ancient societies. Many studies have claimed that one can live a better life when he is physically active due to well being of the body as well as the well being of the mind. However, is the Maltese society understanding and practicing this statement? The children of today are the leaders of tomorrow and as a society we have the duty to raise a healthy and wise generation to come so that they can make us and the generation after proud and pass on the values that makes life better and healthier physically and mentally. [...]