A study of the provision of physical education for senior primary girls in schools in KwaZulu-Natal

Abstract

The main aim of this dissertation was to examine the status of Physical Education for senior primary girls in KwaZulu-Natal. Two sets of questionnaires were used to acquire information from Physical Education teachers and management staff involved in supervision of Physical Education at primary schools. The data obtained were then analysed. • To determine the degree of constructive guidance given in the teaching of senior primary Physical Education by school management • To determine whether physical educators are suitably qualified • To determine whether Physical Education forms part of the core curriculum at school • To make a historical comparative study of the development of Physical Education in primary schools and in KwaZulu-Natal in particular • To determine whether schools have the necessary resources needed in order to teach Physical Education • To make recommendations for the improvement of teaching Physical Education in the senior primary phase in the primary schools of KwaZulu-Natal The main findings of this study were as follows: • Presently there are only 28% of Physical Education specialists teaching Physical Education • The majority (60%) of the educators teaching Physical Education to senior primary learners is males • That about 36% of the educators do not actually teach Physical Education during the Physical Education lesson • An overwhelming majority (100%) of Physical Education educators indicated that they were not supervised in the last 36 months. Some go far back as seven to ten years • A little more than half (58%) of the schools had specialists in school- but they were classroom-based educators. Several recommendations are made out of these findings ranging from making Physical Education part of the core curriculum, ensuring Physical Education is taught by a specialist educator, providing facilities and equipment, supervising of Physical Education and the role of the Physical Education subject advisors. It is expected that such recommendations, if implemented, would contribute towards the elimination of problems that face Physical Education specialists and in improving the status quo of 'Physical Education.