As debate continues on how to combat increasing rates of childhood obesity in the Cayman Islands, a new independent report has found serious flaws with the quality of physical education in schools.
The report comes amidst a comprehensive overhaul of the National Curriculum for schools and government efforts to establish an effective national sports policy.
Published last week, the report says government school students aren’t doing enough physical education at school. It calls for a minimum of two hours to be devoted to the subject every week.
The report highlights problems with teaching and facilities at some government schools.
Report author Carole Raymond is a former School Inspector in the UK with overall responsibility for physical education in England.
She paints Cayman Islands students as underachievers in physical education, with the majority of students achieving below expectation for their age and capability.
Private school students are faring better, the report finds, because of a greater commitment to physical education, and due to better facilities.
Mrs. Raymond’s report brings into question whether physical education is being taken seriously by education leaders.
‘The leadership and management of physical education at all levels – from schools to the Education Department and Ministry – is a weakness,’ Mrs. Raymond wrote. ‘There is no clear vision for the subject in schools or of what good quality teaching looks like. There is little monitoring or evaluation of the effectiveness of what is happening in schools in order to improve provision and raise levels of students’ performance.’
She calls on the Ministry and Education Department to provide leadership for the subject at a national level.
‘This should include a vision for physical education and health as essential parts of the curriculum and the development of the whole child.’
The report questions whether teachers and principals at Government schools also need to do more.
‘In government schools, some principals and teachers talk about the value of physical education but only a minority are taking action to improve the quality and effectiveness of provision.’
Although good practice exists at some schools, overall, provision fails to meet the needs of all students, it continues.
At private schools, there is a stronger and more consistent commitment to physical education, writes Mrs. Raymond. Private school students spend more time doing physical education, have more opportunities and have access to good quality indoor and outdoor facilities.
‘There is also a recognition in these schools that physical education makes a valuable contribution to the social and personal development of students, which can lead to improvements in behaviour and concentration in academic subjects.’
While the report makes for generally sobering reading, there are some bright spots.
North Side Primary and The Lighthouse School are both singled out for praise. Physical education at these schools is helping students to experience a balanced curriculum and make good progress. John Gray High School’s physical education program is also complemented.
The report concludes that in most lessons observed, students worked with enthusiasm and showed a willingness to learn.
Responding to the report, Minister Responsible for Education Alden McLaughlin said his ministry is working rigorously through reviews of the schools’ curriculum and national sports policy to ensure that Cayman’s youth enjoy ample opportunity to be active and healthy, adding that the report adds clarity to that process.
‘The importance of PE is all too often undervalued in schools but it will be among our priorities in the roll-out of the new national curriculum at the start of next year,’ he said.
The report comes after an HSA study earlier this year found that almost half the children entering the school system in the Cayman Islands are either overweight or obese. Asked in July about that study, Mr. McLaughlin pledged that students would spend more time doing physical education under the new school curriculum.
Although Mr. McLaughlin did not specify how more physical activity would be fitted into what he described as an overburdened curriculum, he said at the time he would not rule out extending the school day to fit in more exercise for students.
On Thursday, Mr. McLaughlin officially broke ground for three new Grand Cayman High Schools. Expected to be completed by the beginning of the 2009 school year, the schools will feature state-of-the-art gymnasiums and cricket size multi-purpose playing fields. Two of the schools will also feature 25-meter swimming pools.
Speaking at a groundbreaking ceremony, Governor Stuart Jack remarked that not only will the new sites provide a vibrant new learning environment, the extensive sports facilities will further the commitment to healthy minds and healthy bodies for Cayman’s children.
FYI:
The full report is available online at www.gov.ky
Related Videos
