MEPs back compulsory sport at school

Parliament agrees with the Commission that physical education is increasingly marginalised in today’s school curricula and has called on member states to make three hours of sport compulsory for all primary and secondary schools to boost children’s appetite for a more active lifestyle.

“We just can’t afford to neglect such an important tool as physical education in school as a means of promoting healthy lifestyles,” said MEP Pál Schmitt (EPP-ED) as he presented his report on the role of sport in education during a plenary meeting on 12 November. “Unfortunately, physical education has lost its importance in schools,” he regretted.

“This report and the Commission’s White Paper agree that the general orientation of physical education does not necessarily correspond to today’s societal needs. The subject is increasingly marginalised in school curricula and programmes,” said Commissioner for Education and Sport Jan Figel, adding that the Commission will, together with member states, develop physical activity guidelines by the end of 2008.

Parliament’s resolution, adopted by an overwhelming majority on 13 November, identifies a number of problems concerning physical education across the EU. It points to the ever-decreasing amount of time allocated to sport at school and the limited choice of sport options, and argues that sport in schools is often too competitive. 

Under-funded sports facilities and insufficient coordination between sport inside and outside of school are also identified as problems to be solved in order to get children to exercise more.

The report suggests making physical education (PE) compulsory in all primary and secondary schools and recommends offering children at least three lessons involving physical activity per week.

“Both the parliament report and the Commission’s White Paper recommend enhanced co-operation between health education and the sport sector at school to reduce health risks such as being overweight,” highlighted Commissioner Figel.

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