The Quality of School Physical Education in Flemish Secondary Schools

Abstract

In this article the importance of a quality care system within school physical education is emphasized. Taking into account the fact that education is a critical part of human development and a government concern, striving towards an optimization of the quantity and quality requirements of education can be regarded as a necessity. This applies as much to the school physical education subject as to education generally. Based on the results of in-depth interviews with pupils, PE teachers, subject teachers, committees of parents, school principals and so-called ‘expert-witnesses’ from the world of sports on the actual quality of school PE in Flanders, it is concluded that school PE in Flanders faces similar problems as in many other countries (e.g. limited curricular time allocation, low subject status, inadequate financial, material and human resources). Finally, it is indicated that, in order to ensure the future of school PE, a specific quality care system must be developed.