Synopsis

• The purpose of the World Summit on Physical Education (1999) was to produce a consensus statement regarding the current position of Physical Education worldwide and describe a strategic way forward. The principles of this statement must be enshrined into any strategic document produced for Physical Education in Ireland.
• Extensive research is required to answer each term of reference described by the Joint Committee on Education and Science comprehensively. However, some useful data and anecdotal evidence exists.
• Provision of Quality Physical Education can make a significant contribution to the following aspects of society:

  1. Education
  2. Children's Development
  3. Social and cognitive development, and school life
  4. Economy - prevention of risk behaviours, health problems and long term benefits
  5. Health
  6. Sports Development, foundation for and of sport
  7. Social development and Inclusion

• Physical Education is the only educational experience where the focus is on the body, physical activity and physical development. Because of this fact Physical Education should become a core part of the curriculum.
• Extant research indicates that Physical Education provision at all levels (for individuals with disabilities, primary, post primary, 3rd level,) of the education system is inadequate.
• The provision of full-time Adapted Physical Activity professionals are required to facilitate each sector of the education system to effectively provide for individuals with disabilities.
• The need for a strategic policy for the provision of quality Physical Education at all levels of the educational spectrum and within the community is immediate. The government should appoint a taskforce, which represents all key stakeholders in Physical Education to complete this task. Experts in the field of Physical Education must lead this initiative.
• Physical Education programmes are dominated by games teaching. This is contrary to the needs of society where only a small percentage of the population participate in organised team games.
• The World Health Organisation (2000) has identified physical inactivity as one of the key threats, even greater than smoking to worldwide population health.
• Non-Communicable Diseases (e.g. CHD, Obesity, Diabetes) which are emerging as major causes of deaths, morbidity and disability worldwide, share a relatively small number of common and preventable risk factors especially the lack of physical activity, tobacco use and unhealthy diet. It is estimated that physical inactivity is as important a risk factor for Non-Communicable Diseases as is tobacco use. Physical activity interacts positively with strategies to improve diet, discourage tobacco use or facilitate its cessation.
• A total of 57% of the Irish population aged between 18-64 are overweight. 18% of these are obese. Dietary patterns of the Irish population do not explain this fact, inactivity is the most likely cause.
• The vast majority of the Irish population (all ages) do not partake in sufficient levels of Physical Activity to maintain or enhance health. A process of effective education is required to reverse this pattern.
• Physical inactivity has been shown to account directly for approx. 10% of the total health sector cost of the USA.
• To create the effective educational environment in which all individuals can be motivated to partake in physical activity can only be achieved by specialist Physical Education teachers. The practice of non-specialists teaching Physical Education must be ameliorated.
• Strong evidence exits that participation in Physical Education and Physical Activity results in greater academic success as opposed to non-participation.
• In the world survey of Physical Education the following key issues which impact adversely on Physical Education provision were identified:

  1. Statutory requirements for Physical Education
  2. Subject status of Physical Education
  3. Curriculum time allocation
  4. Teacher Training
  5. Resources

• When Physical Education is not incorporated as an integral part of the education process, the consequences can be long-lasting and manifold.

Summary of Recommendations

• Additional research required
  
• Establishment of National taskforce to review Physical Education provision
  
• Implementation of recommendations of World Summit on Physical Education (1999)
  
• Provision of quality Physical Education at all levels of the education system, within the community and for people with disabilities.
  
• Physical Education becomes a core curriculum subject
  
• Placement of Physical Education promotion on the National Development Plan
  
• Allocation of suitable curriculum time
  
• Redevelopment of the Physical Education and Sport Sciences building at the University of Limerick
  
• Appointment of specialists in the area of Adapted Physical Activity to integrate with all levels of the Educational System so as to provide effective Physical Education provision for individuals with disabilities
  
• Establishment of a National Centre of Adapted Physical Activity (CAPA) for people with disabilities at the University of Limerick
  
• Physical Education in most cases must be provided by specialist teachers
  
• Redevelopment of the Physical Education Association of Ireland
  
• Development of strategic alliances amongst stakeholders in Physical Education
  
• National promotional campaign for Physical Education
  
• Establishment of a Chair of Physical Education at the University of Limerick
  
• Constitutional reform of Article 42.3.3, the term "physical" should be returned to this article