Mainstreaming Health and Physical Education in CBSE

Curriculum reform is a global issue and drives education policy directives around the world.
The broad framework is usually provided by a national apex body, the narrower focus is
around the syllabi based on the disciplines and the learning outcomes expected at age
appropriate levels.
1.1 RATIONALE
1.1.1 Health and Physical Education is concerned with total health of the learner and the
community. Besides physical health, it includes mental and emotional health of the
learners. Health is often a state of physical, mental, emotional, social and spiritual
well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity.
1.1.2 The aim of Mainstreaming Health and Physical Education is to enable the student to
attain an optimum state of health, by incorporating each of the aforementioned
aspects.
1.1.3 In this respect, it is a truism to say that the practice of healthy living will serve as the
foundation for Physical Education. It is envisaged that any effort to promote aesthetic
values at the school level will include a natural esteem for physical well-being. The
mastery of the body, its powers and qualities, requires knowledge, methodical
training and exercise. The skills and capacities need to be developed, the muscles and
nerves trained, the senses cultivated and hygienic and proper dietary habits
inculcated for this purpose.
1.1.4 Therefore, provision has to be made much more systematically than before, in the
school curriculum for Health and Physical Education imbued with Life Skills
1.1.5 Research has demonstrated that there is a positive correlation between brain
development and exercise which also has an impact on cognitive development thus
helping to improve academic grades.
1.1.6 A comprehensive view of Health and Physical Education includes and encompasses
the three areas of Health Education, Physical Education and Yoga as integral to
achieving holistic health (physical, mental, intellectual, emotional, social and
spiritual). Given the interdisciplinary nature of this subject, it needs to be transacted
in innovative ways across the curriculum.
1.1.7 The ubiquitous digital presence can be an added resource for the student, teacher
educator and the teacher. It provides endless possibilities of resorting to online
resources to add value to PE.
1.1.8 At the Secondary level acquisition of the habits of healthy living and participation in
games and sports and athletics for neuromuscular coordination and physical fitness
are the aims which should be taken care of while developing any syllabus of Health
and Physical Education.
1.1.9 While at the Senior Secondary level, through the integrated PE approach, students
will acquire the knowledge, skills, right attitudes and values towards the pursuit of a
lifelong physically active and healthy lifestyle.