NCERT launches first physical education textbooks for classes 3 to 8

The National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) has rolled out a new set of physical education textbooks for students in Classes 3 to 8, marking its first such initiative.

The series, titled Physical Education and Well-Being, aligns with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 and the National Curriculum Framework for School Education (NCF-SE) 2023.

For Class 8, the textbook “Khel Yatra" features various activities aimed at making physical learning interactive while teaching the significance of fitness and well-being.

Exercises such as Baraf Pani, Move Like a Machine, Flex and React Challenge, and others encourage students to adopt proper warm-up and cool-down practices.

The Baraf Pani activity introduces children to different social roles in bullying situations. "Baraf Pani" demonstrates how students can play the roles of the bully, victim, bystander, and upstander.

In this game, the bully chases the victim, who freezes when caught. Bystanders can release the victim by tapping them and saying, "You are not alone" or "I am with you."

Upstanders are encouraged to step in with interventions such as "Stop, that's not okay."

According to NCERT, this helps children understand how upstanders can positively support victims of bullying.

Other activities in the Class 8 book include Char Tali, which builds alertness and underscores the community’s role in tackling harassment, and Move Like a Machine, which explains how the musculoskeletal system enables movement.

Pass, Sit, and Score focuses on teamwork and quick decision-making through a passing game format.

The book also introduces students to athletic techniques like crouching for marathons, long jumps, and standing broad jumps.

NCERT highlighted the launch of the new textbooks on X.com (formerly Twitter).

Officials emphasized that the series for Classes 3 to 8 seeks to integrate sports with classroom learning, instill the value of fitness, and make physical education engaging for children.