The place of athletics in secondary schools

Abstract

This dissertation has been concerned in studying the present situation regarding the teaching of Athletics in local secondary schools. A questionnaire study carried out amongst Secondary school Physical Education teachers has outlined the degree at which this area of the Physical Education syllabus has been neglected. The first part of the dissertation begins with an attempt to put forward the case of Athletics in secondary schools, while giving a drive to give Athletics a more prestigious outlook and representation in the secondary school set-up. The review of literature outlines the main reasons why Athletics has a desirable place in the Physical Education syllabus and its contribution to the aims of education. The research design and analysis of the teachers' questionnaires are found in Chapters three and four. Besides other important conclusions, results indicate that the majority of teachers have reservations whether the Physical Education syllabus covers the needs of Athletics. In the concluding chapter, suggestions based mainly on the results obtained are put forward to stimulate interest and enhance participation in Athletics - this neglected area of the Physical Education Syllabus.