Losing consultants a body blow
Re: “After-school sports administration cut; Programs not affected: board,” the Journal, May 31. I am a retired teacher from Edmonton Public Schools and now instruct elementary student teachers in physical education and health at Concordia University College.
During my 32 years as a teacher I taught physical education and health from elementary school through high school. I saw a steady decline in student health and athletic ability and a steady increase of evidence showing the decline of children’s health nationally and internationally.
Eliminating four physical education consultants at the public school’s central office takes away a wonderful resource for teachers to help them instruct physical education and health.
Although not the only reason for the decline in children’s health, the lack of attention that physical education and health receive in our schools is one of the contributing factors.
Grade 10 is the last compulsory year for physical education and Career and Life Management is the only health course. Health in many junior high schools is reduced to a once-a-month seminar held for one or sometimes half a day.
Although the daily physical activity initiative is a provincial requirement for Grades 1 to 9, few elementary schools have it and almost no junior high schools in Edmonton follow it.
Many junior highs exceed the time recommended by the province for teaching language arts, math, science and social studies and therefore could feasibly take a little time from each to teach more on physical education and health. But most junior highs do not.
Some provinces have physical education specialists beginning at the elementary level. With few exceptions in Alberta, the elementary generalist teacher has that job.
Traditionally, Edmonton Public Schools has had consultants to help teachers in all subject areas. Cancelling these positions in physical education and health comes at a time our children’s health should be our paramount concern.
Mark Edwards, Edmonton