Attitude of learners and teachers towards physical education in secondary schools in the Windhoek region

Abstract

Abstract provided by author:

Several modifiable risk factors for Coronary Heart Disease begins early in childhood, such as obesity, increased blood lipids, hypertension, and a lack of exercise. Physical inactivity is currently listed as one of the 10 major risk factors for ill health and disease. Regular physical activity during youth can thus be potentially beneficial to adult health. Siedentop and Locke (1997) said that the surest and most efficient way to influence people to adopt a physically active lifestyle is to have them enjoy a Physical Education program from Kindergarten to Grade 12. Physical Education is the only major setting in which virtually all children can be taught the health-related physical activities necessary for lifetime physical fitness and health. Nevertheless authors found that in South Africa and Namibia, children's habitual physical activity levels are low and that more importantly, these levels decline dramatically from childhood through to adolescence. In Africa Physical Education has not been given its rightful place in the school curriculum, and thus faces an unsure future. The purpose of this study was to investigate the attitude of learners and teachers towards Physical Education

A random sample of 50 percent of the IGCSE schools in the Windhoek region was chosen. Ten schools were chosen, 6 from the formerly white government schools, 2 from the formerly coloured government schools and 2 from the formerly black government schools. From each school, 52 learners were randomly selected (26 male learners and 26 female learners). A total of 540 subjects were recruited for this study. These comprised 500 learners, 20 professional Physical Education teachers and 20 other subject teachers. Questionnaires were administered to the subjects. The Chi-square from the Statistical Package for Social Sciences was used to analyze descriptive data

Of the 500 questionnaires handed out, 443 (88. 6 percent) learners responded. Sixteen (80 percent) P E teachers and 17 (85 percent) other subject teachers responded back. The results showed that there was a positive attitude (83. 5 percent) towards Physical Education in the schools. There was no significant difference (x2 = 7. 885, p 0. 05) in the attitude towards Physical Education among the various school categories. From the formerly white government schools, 79. 8 percent; from the formerly coloured government schools, 90. 5 percent; and from the formerly black government schools, 87. 2 percent; of the learners had a positive attitude towards Physical Education. Respondents comprised 88. 9 percent male and 78. 4 percent female. Results also showed that there was a significant difference (x2

Physical Education was influenced negatively by such factors as inadequate equipment and facilities, unqualified Physical Education teachers and Physical Education did not appear on the timetable. A majority of the subjects had a positive attitude towards Physical Education and they thought that Physical Education was important as a school subject. Syllabi and handbooks on Physical Education should be designed and made available to the schools. Teachers should specialize in this subject area and more facilities and equipment should be made available for the teaching of Physical Education