The background to the introduction of everyday physical education
The submission of the legislation proposing the introduction of everyday physical education was preceded by a number of studies and surveys. The first of these projects was launched in 2008 by the Parliamentary Commissioner for Civil Rights, whose main purpose was to explore the realization of the enforcement of children's rights. [1]
The main line of the research was the implementation in 2011 of the children's right to physical and mental health which should take place at the highest possible level. Through the project, the Ombudsman examined the situation of physical education and sport in schools, including regulatory frameworks. The survey primarily focused on the tasks of teaching institutions related to physical education and student sports, and on the situation of adapted physical education. In addition, the investigation also addressed the issue of whether school-age pupils between 6 and 18 years of age receive physical education adapted to their age-specific features and needs. After exploring the findings the parliamentary commissioner requested the Minister of National Resources to take action to resolve the following problems:
- In cooperation with the relevant professional associations, to develop the protocol on physical education in schools, and build up the professional supervision,
- Create the professional, material and financial conditions of physical education in schools, student sports and adapted physical education, which respect rights and interests of children,
- Take decisive and coordinated action to ensure that in public educational institutions pupils should participate in physical education classes under the same conditions which are appropriate to their health condition,
- Take steps to increase the number of school health professionals, and to create equitable funding [2]
The Inspection Department of Public Education of the Educational Authority in November 2009, as part of a national professional inspection, examined the functioning of sports clubs and physical exercise classes organized outside the classroom. 180 primary schools and 70 secondary schools took part in the study.
The most important tasks and results of the professional verification were as follows:
Collection of information: collection of information included the existence of regularities and conditions for organizing extracurricular sports clubs and sporting activities outside of classroom, including the satisfaction of parental needs. The study also covered academic and vocational qualifications of teachers.
Problem exploration: The survey of extra-curricular sporting activities in examined schools, the data concerning organization, personnel, and tool supply; revealing and presenting potential problems.
Opportunities for the development of extra-curricular sporting activities: the study focused on the current situation of extracurricular sport activities, so that there are more modification options to create more efficient extra-curricular activities which activate more students.
Personal conditions of the investigated schools: In most of the city schools, there was no shortage of experts, while the council schools were characterized by the lack of qualifications. Many of small towns and villages could not provide a qualified teacher to carry out the extra-curricular activities.
The material conditions of examined schools: The realization of the material conditions for small local schools was also the most adverse. The situation is slightly better in the municipal schools, while in the urban institutions there are more problems with preserving the quality of the tools.
The operation of school sports clubs: The survey showed that schools provide few hours of sports lessons out of the number of required not mandatory educational sessions. In addition, in 28 percent of schools the mandatory survey measuring sport needs of students did not take place. This part of the study showed that most of the schools organize extra-curricular sports sessions not in accordance with what is provided for by the law.
The results of the investigation lead to the following expert recommendations:
- The investigation of the operation of school sports clubs proved that in most schools school sports clubs are organized not in accordance with the rules, therefore all institutions are advised to comply with the law-abiding behavior,
- In order to achieve the realization of the personal conditions priority support should be provided for teachers' professional development n order to help them acquire the necessary professional knowledge and experience.
- The introduction of new sports should arouse interest in the adolescent age group for the sport, get them to like physical activity, and develop their need for movement.
- The survey confirmed that the worst material conditions are found in the institutions in small settlements, so it would be important to ease the terms of the applications, make them easier to undertake for the sake of the construction of new sports facilities, or renovation of existing ones.
- Regarding specific measures, an incentive system should be developed for the sake of youth training
- In most of the schools it is not possible to pay teachers overtime for preparing pupils and accompanying them to sport completions.
Proposal for everyday physical education to be prescribed by law, so that the actual everyday physical activity should generally affect all children [3]
[1] Dr. Kovács Zs. (szerk.) (2009): Beszámoló az állampolgári jogok országgyűlési biztosának tevékenységéről 2008. Országgyűlési Biztos Hivatala, Budapest, 2009
[2] Dr. Lux Á. (szerk.) (2012): A gyermekek testi-lelki egészsége – Gyermekjogi projekt 2011. Alapvető jogok biztosának hivatala, Budapest, 2012.
[3] Oktatási Hivatal (2009): Jelentés a tanórán kívül szervezett iskolai sportkörök, sportfoglalkozások országos szakmai ellenőrzéséről