A Necessity in Today’s Time: Physical Education in Oman

Abstract

Until the early 1990s, the physical education practice in Oman was preserved by gender and class. With the initiation of the Teacher Training Program in 1993, physical education practices in Oman started to spread and moved from a content-based course to an outcome-based course. This curriculum, however, is still undergoing changes to merge the old physical practices with the modern practices as to provide students with a wider perspective on physical education and its utilization in better life care. Scientific studies have shown physical education practices to be one of the critical reasons for preventing and treating various health issues such as diabetes, obesity, blood pressure, cancer and metabolic syndromes. This article critically reviews the history and progress of physical education programs in Oman along with providing unique curricula models which focus on the importance of fitness, sport education, teaching programs and increased physical activity opportunities for children. Last but not the least, major initiatives and future directives by the Oman Physical Education Curriculum are discussed. The aim of the paper thus is not just to reflect on the path of physical education in Oman but also to draw a map for its future. However, in Oman the prevalent trends show an increase in insufficient physical activity in children as well as adults. In terms of health profile, Oman has moved from a country being dominated by infectious diseases to non-communicable diseases (NCDs) which include diabetes (12%), overweight (30%), obesity (20%), high cholesterol (41%), and metabolic syndrome (21%) (Mehena & Kilani, 2010). In 2005, NCDs accounted for 75% of the diseases, with cardiovascular