Page 3732 - Week 13 - Tuesday, 15 October 1991

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MINISTER FOR EDUCATION AND THE ARTS

LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY QUESTION

QUESTION ON NOTICE N0. 480

Physical Education

MR STEFANIAK - asked the Minister for Education and the Arts on notice on 6 August 1991:

Given that sport is not compulsory in the ACT education system:

(1) Will the Minister rectify this situation.

(2) What steps does the Minister intend taking to ensure that the ACT education system provides students with physical as well as academic education?

MR WOOD - the answer to Mr Stefaniaks question is:

(1) The second part of the question will be addressed first.

The ACT education system provides all students in ACT public

schools with wide ranging provision in physical education as

detailed below:

(a While physical education is not compulsory at all levels of schooling in the ACT, the ACT Department of Education and the Arts Draft Curriculum Policy (1990) clearly establishes the position of physical education within Health, as one of the eight essential areas of learning.

(b) Sport is a component of the physical education curriculum, which includes national programs such as AUSSIE sports. The Department also has a system policy on sport which encourages involvement in sport and provides for involvement in interschool. and interstate representative teams.

(c) All schools understand that physical education is a necessary part of a comprehensive health program, and is an essential inclusion in the curriculum during a students years of compulsory schooling. Many schools offer alternative programs within the physical education area to cater for the interests of those students who do not elect or who are unable to participate in competitive team or individual sports. These include dance, aerobics and bushwalking.

(d) In summary, the current provision for sport and physical education presents students with viable and appropriate choices.

(2) The situation does not need rectifying.

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