By: Amina Parveen
No country can make progress barring the provision of healthy people in its community. One way of retaining healthy individuals in our communities is to combine physical education and sports activities in our education system. Ishita puts stress on the same subject when she says, “In order to face the challenges of life, a precise health along with a physically fit body are the most important items. Therefore, physical education that includes games and sports, and their integration in our education machine needs to be the vital element of widespread education” (Emi Ishita, 2009).
Physical education is commonly described as the use of physical activities and skills to help people in attaining physical fitness, thriving and motor skills, enhanced information, and advantageous mindset that would add value to their instructive growth and social well-being.
Academic performance (AP) of university students has been found to have an effect on career success. Furthermore, AP has an effect on attaining further education and thereby income which indirectly improves health and the quality of life. Health has long been a factor influencing AP in adolescents.
Literature exploring the association between fitness behavior and AP proposes that students in good health have better academic performance. Many studies have been conducted in different areas of Pakistan to consider the elements influencing academic performance, overall conclusion of these studies show a positive association between academic performance, physical activities and physical education. There is no correlation exist between these elements as these are important however not necessary, however these factors, for example, physical education, physical activities and sports activities could enhance the schooling achievements in one-of-a-kind aspects.
In developing countries such as Pakistan, physical education is one of the most neglected area because there is massive disconnect between sports and education. In Pakistan, it is normally assumed that sport and bodily recreation are non-contributing elements in the professional career of people.
Moving on, awareness about physical education as a non-educational and enjoyable recreation viewed as inferior to academic subject such as, English and Science. Lack of qualified instructors and facilities, insufficient resources, lack of career growth, and limited offering of physical training packages at the same time contribute to the vulnerable and low standard of physical education in Pakistan. Girls are strongly discouraged from getting involved in physical education activities in many areas because of social and cultural restrictions.
Recommendations: The higher authorities such a government and top administration of educational institutions and establishments need to intervene to enhance and improve the overall standard of physical education by launching new institutes and centers, making the existing institutes more resourceful and provide all facilities such as main building, labs, equipment, and most importantly well qualified and trained teachers and skilled staff.
The universities in Pakistan need to offer as many packages as viable for students to improve enrolment in these physical activities and sports. Government and educational institutions must increase funding for the physical education programs to improve the infrastructure and overall condition in the country for sport and physical education activity. University must allocate substantial funds to improve salary and service structure.
