Reconnoitering advantages and challenges of integrating physical education into the curriculum

Abstract

Physical education (PE) is an academic subject that aims to promote physical fitness, healthy lifestyle habits, and overall well-being through physical activity and exercise. It emphasizes the development and maintenance of physical fitness and skills through sports, exercise, and games. Curriculum is a structured framework that facilitates learners in accomplishing specific learning goals and objectives, encompassing planned activities, materials, assessments, topics, skills, methods of instruction, and expected outcomes. The primary aim of this article is to reconnoiter the advantages and challenges of integrating PE into the curriculum. Secondary qualitative data, extracted from relevant books and journal articles, have been collected to support the study. The article concludes that incorporating PE into the curriculum significantly contributes to students' holistic development. PE imparts students with a profound understanding of the significance of regular physical exercise in reducing the risk of obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, stress, anxiety, and depression. Furthermore, PE has the potential to enhance academic performance by improving concentration, memory, and creativity. This article plays a crucial role in advocating for equal importance to be given to PE alongside other subjects in the curriculum, both by inspiring students and guiding curriculum designers.