TY - JOUR
T1 - Moving towards quality physical education
T2 - Physical education provision in Singapore
AU - McNeill, Michael
AU - Coral Lim, Boon San
AU - John Wang, Chee Keng
AU - Clara Tan, Wee Keat
AU - MacPhail, Ann
PY - 2010/6
Y1 - 2010/6
N2 - This study investigated the provision of physical education (PE) in Singapore. Singapore is a small island city state of approximately 699 square kilometres with a population of about 4 million people. This article aims to highlight the current status of PE in Singapore schools and compare it against suggested international standards and recommendations. From questionnaires distributed to every school on a voluntary basis, 164 Heads of Department (HODs) from 78 primary schools, 74 secondary schools and 12 junior colleges, and 474 teachers from 170 schools responded. The findings from these questionnaires focused on the impact of facilities, staffing, timetabling, curriculum time and status, on the provision of PE. In relation to the international context, Singapore faces similar constraints such as inadequate facilities and equipment, and insufficient allocation of time. The study makes a strong case for the improved status and function of PE in schools but three main issues require further attention: (i) primary schools are disadvantaged by staffing issues and general provision; (ii) PE lessons are both inadequate in number and duration to achieve the 'desired outcomes' of the PE syllabus; and (iii) class sizes are considered too large for meaningful learning to occur, resulting in teachers prioritising management issues. When these issues are addressed and their solutions translated into practice, Singapore can actualise the vision of making every student physically educated and achieve a world class standard.
AB - This study investigated the provision of physical education (PE) in Singapore. Singapore is a small island city state of approximately 699 square kilometres with a population of about 4 million people. This article aims to highlight the current status of PE in Singapore schools and compare it against suggested international standards and recommendations. From questionnaires distributed to every school on a voluntary basis, 164 Heads of Department (HODs) from 78 primary schools, 74 secondary schools and 12 junior colleges, and 474 teachers from 170 schools responded. The findings from these questionnaires focused on the impact of facilities, staffing, timetabling, curriculum time and status, on the provision of PE. In relation to the international context, Singapore faces similar constraints such as inadequate facilities and equipment, and insufficient allocation of time. The study makes a strong case for the improved status and function of PE in schools but three main issues require further attention: (i) primary schools are disadvantaged by staffing issues and general provision; (ii) PE lessons are both inadequate in number and duration to achieve the 'desired outcomes' of the PE syllabus; and (iii) class sizes are considered too large for meaningful learning to occur, resulting in teachers prioritising management issues. When these issues are addressed and their solutions translated into practice, Singapore can actualise the vision of making every student physically educated and achieve a world class standard.
KW - Physical education
KW - Provision of physical education
KW - Views and experiences
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=77950653733&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1177/1356336X09345224
DO - 10.1177/1356336X09345224
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:77950653733
SN - 1356-336X
VL - 15
SP - 201
EP - 223
JO - European Physical Education Review
JF - European Physical Education Review
IS - 2
ER -