The first requisite for national and for individual development is the physical education. There are many- problems that confront physical education and the most important one is the lack of appreciation of the fact on the part of the public in general and the educational authorities in particular.
As a matter of fact our people have been rather slow to recognize that exercise and perspirations are the bye-product of physical education.
In some of the progressive countries of the world physical education has been accorded’. High status in education. Unfortunately in our country, no real and effective beginning has been made so far in this direction. The reason it seems is that, there is no national professional organization worth its name that has interpreted modern physical education.
Not understanding the real concept of physical education people still talk about it in terms of drill, physical training, physical culture, sports, gymnastics etc. Even the educationists and the educational administrators, who are in the helm of affairs, are totally unmindful of the educative potentialities of physical education.
ADVERTISEMENTS:
Not taking into consideration the substantial contribution that physical education makes towards the education of the child physical, mental, moral, social and emotional; they only take in to account superficially, the one aspect of physical education that is the development of skill in games and sports, merely on winning teams etc.
Once the concept of physical education is correctly, thoroughly and most wholesomely interpreted to the people in general and educational administrators in particular, its other problems would take care of themselves.
Modern Concept of Physical Education:
Physical education in its modern concept is broader and more meaningful. There is no doubt that it is conducive to build up organic health but it is helpful in developing mental and emotional health and social qualities that are considered to be desirable by the society. It provides that much of energy which is so very necessary for every person to withstand the wear and tear of the struggle for existence.
ADVERTISEMENTS:
Physical education is not confined to some forms of drill and regular exercises, but emphasizes on the physical fitness value. Physical development and mental development are inter-related and go together. Locke emphasized, “A sound mind in a sound body is a short but full description of a happy state in the world’.
Kilpatrick has detained it as “A way of education through motor activity and related experiences and its subject matter is primarily ways of behaving”. The capable and intelligent leadership during play periods can guide and help children to develop desirable way of behaving towards their team mates, opponents, officials, spectators and in regard to the solution of problems that arise during games and intelligent decision based on reason rather than on prejudices and emotions.
According to Modular Commission, “Physical education is not more drill or a series of regulated exercises. It includes all forms of physical activities and games which promote the development of body and mind”, Kothari Commission opined, “Physical education contributes not only to the physical fitness but also to physical efficiency, mental alertness and the development of certain qualities like perseverance, team spirit, leadership, discipline tolerance, obedience to rules, moderation in victory and balance in defeat”. Physical education is considered as that part of all education which proceeds predominantly through physical activity.
However, physical education is complete educative process and not mere exercise and perspiration properly planned and conducted; it has a legitimate claim for inclusion in the general scheme of education.