TN introduces physical education guidebooks for Classes 6 to 10 in govt schools

Physical education in Tamil Nadu schools is set to become more structured with the introduction of exclusive guidebooks for students of Classes 6 to 10 in government and aided schools.

Released by the school education department, the new books are designed to treat PE with the same seriousness as core academic subjects.

The guidebooks feature step-by-step illustrations covering warm-ups, yoga, Tamil heritage games, first aid, and safety techniques.

Activities are visually explained to promote correct practice and student engagement.

The material also includes provisions for collaboration with special educators to support children with special needs.

According to officials, the objective is to help students build fitness, participate in competitive sports, and develop important life skills.

“For students, it helps develop fitness, coordination, and lifelong healthy habits through age-appropriate, engaging activities. For teachers, it clearly lays down ready-to-use lesson plans, assessment tools, and activity ideas that make planning easier and ensure consistent quality across classes,” said T Chandramohan, school education secretary.

He added that the sessions also teach values like teamwork, discipline, and leadership.

“Ultimately, they make PE a more meaningful and structured part of every student's school experience,” he said.

Teachers have long demanded a formal curriculum for physical education.

“As of today, written PE exams are held for students of Classes 6-9, where questions such as the size of a football ground are asked. We have been demanding the department for a dedicated syllabus for PE and textbooks. I am glad this has been fulfilled,” said Mohan, a PE teacher at Government Higher Secondary School, Kovalam.

Some associations, however, have raised concerns about the lack of infrastructure and staff needed to implement the new curriculum effectively.

“Ideally, a school is supposed to have two PE teachers, one for students of Classes I-VIII and another for IX-XII. However, in most schools, not even one teacher is posted, said S Pushparajan, deputy coordinator, Tamil Nadu Physical Education Teachers Association.

“Moreover, infrastructure for certain sports, such as pole vaulting, is poor. The govt should focus on building infrastructure to attract students to various types of sports as opposed to conventional ones,” added Pushparajan.

“There are at least 3,000 vacant PE teacher posts across the state. Not just that, if the higher secondary student strength is over 400, a post of a physical director has to be created,” said S Arockiaraj, Chennai secretary, TN PE Teachers Physical Education Instructors Association.

“However, the govt has not done this in a majority of schools, citing fund shortages. When you don't have PE teachers in schools, what good would a textbook do?” added Arockiaraj.

While the guidebooks aim to bring uniformity and clarity to PE instruction, teachers say their success will depend on addressing staffing shortages and improving sports infrastructure across schools.