A case for more emphasis on health related exercise and health education in the primary school physical education syllabus

Abstract

A brief examination of the current primary school physical education curriculum will be made in order to identify those sections which relate to health education and health related exercise. This will be followed by an analysis of health statistical data for the Maltese islands identifying major health concerns common to Maltese children and adults. An inquiry into current and past research, both in Europe and the USA, on physical activity during childhood and its lifelong effects on health and physical activity in later stages of life will be made. This will lead to proposals for change in the current PE curriculum for primary schools in Malta. Suggestions on how these changes can be implemented will also be included.