The Meghalaya Physical Education & Sports Association (MPESA) recently wrote to Chief Minister, Conrad Sangma regarding the recruitment to the post of Inspector of Physical Training/Physical Education Teacher/Physical Trainer in schools, colleges and other government departments.
In the letter to Sangma, the MPESA stated that the National Education Policy 2020 lays special emphasis on sports as a part of the curriculum and grading in sports should be counted in the students education.
It also mandates physical education at the preparatory stage of school education for children right from Grade 3 and above.
The association points out that the graduates/post graduates of Physical Education are trained and have the expertise to equip the students with physical strength and mental stability to face the challenges of this complex world.
The letter to the Chief Minister stated that Physical Education graduates are User Planners, Curriculum Developers, Monitors of students Progress, Class-room Management.
Therefore, the advertised posts in Government Departments and Schools should be specifically mentioned as Diploma/B.P.Ed/ M.P.Ed/P.hd as required qualification.
According to the MPESA as per the Government of Meghalaya, Education Department Statistics, there are more than 13,000 Elementary Schools and 1,600 Higher Secondary Schools including Colleges and University in Meghalaya.
The association requested the Chief Minister to consider for incorporation in the Service Regulation that only qualified and degree holders of Physical Education be appointed in all Educational Institutions and Government Departments wherever vacant posts of P.E Inspectors/ P.E Trainers /Assistant Professors arises such as in DSEO, DIET.
They also requested that the vacant posts in all the government schools and higher educational institutions be filled up and carried out as envisaged in the National Education Policy 2020.
Meanwhile, MPESA Adviser, Kyrmenlang Uriah stated that as Meghalaya is preparing to host the National Games, it is important to remind the government that physical education is very important for sportspeople.
“Physical education helps children to develop respect for the body—their own and others”, Uriah stated.
According to him, physical education contributes toward the integrated development of mind and body, develops an under- standing of the role of aerobic and anaerobic physical activity in health, positively enhances self-confidence and self-esteem, and enhances social and cognitive development and academic achievement.
