Udaipur, November 30,2024 - In government schools across Udaipur, Health and Physical Education (PE) has been a compulsory subject for classes 3 to 10. However, there is a significant issue with the availability of textbooks for this subject, especially for students in classes 9 and 10. Despite the approaching mid-term exams, students have not received PE books for the past five years, and teachers continue to teach without proper resources.

Teachers Forced to Use Online Materials

Due to the absence of textbooks, PE teachers are turning to online materials and are having students memorize them for their exams. Dr. Bhairu Singh Rathore, State General Secretary of the Rajasthan Physical Education Teachers' Association, highlighted that teachers are struggling with the lack of resources and have repeatedly requested textbooks from the government. However, these requests have not been addressed.

Previous Efforts to Promote PE

The state government had previously prioritized PE by organizing special camps for students, which included activities like sports, cultural programs, and rural tours. These camps aimed to promote the subject, but they were discontinued five years ago, leaving students without the additional exposure and support for PE.

Inconsistent Government Approach to PE

The government's approach to PE has been inconsistent over the years. In 2006, it made PE mandatory for classes 3 to 8, but by 2012, the subject was dropped for classes 6 to 8. After a change in government, PE was made compulsory again, and books were printed in 2017-18. However, since then, no new textbooks have been issued, leaving teachers and students without proper learning materials.

Teachers and education advocates are calling on the state government to take immediate action by providing textbooks for PE, just as it does for other subjects, to ensure that students have the necessary resources to succeed.

Source: Media Reports