MAKING SPORTS PART OF EDUCATION

SUSANA M. SANTOS

Sports and physical education decades ago are different compared to today, with Filipinos becoming sports enthusiasts. At the moment, basketball and volleyball are the country’s favorite sporting events.

Some countries are also marked by massive investment in sports. Realization and recognition that in learning and studying, one does not separate the physical from the intellectual activities of learners.

In view of this, officials of the National Academy of Sports (NAS) are urged to continue providing programs to help student-athletes hone their physical skills while being academically competitive.

The Department’s hope is that the NEAP makes sure that sports are part of education, part of the development of the learners and part of being good citizens.

They must ensure that learners receive a quality education while helping them improve their skills in competitive sports.

Along with high schools for Sciences, and high schools for the Arts, it is high time that the country has high schools and institutions specifically focusing on sports so that learners and our people can start valuing the importance of physical fitness, physical preparation, and endurance, as well as combining them with academic work.

The NAS is envisioned to be a world-class facility that will serve as a forefront in government’s efforts to provide a conducive environment for the academic, sports training, and character development of young athletes.

The DepEd has called on promising student-athletes to study at the NAS to help the country perform better and at a higher level during regional or worldwide sporting events, especially now that there is a world-class sports facilities and program to hone them.

The Academy is mandated to implement a quality and enhanced secondary education program, integrated with a special curriculum on sports. It seeks to identify and hone academically competent youths with strong athletic potential into responsible Filipinos who will play vital roles in nation-building.

Sports is also important in Philippine tradition, and the NAS would be an avenue for the learners to hone their physical skills to be globally competitive – and it is time to integrate sports development into the educational system.

For the next school year, NAS will offer programs in eight focus sports, including the Athletics, Aquatics (Swimming), Gymnastics, Badminton, Judo, Taekwondo, Table Tennis, and Weightlifting – all of which are Olympic sports.

--oOo-The author is Teacher II at Sta. Maria Elementary School