"Essence Of Physical Education Is The Overall Development Of A Student's Personality And Spirit": Madras High Court

The Madras High Court recently emphasized on the importance of sports and physical activities in schools, being an integral part of the education system, and how infrastructure for sports is indispensable.

The court was hearing a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) seeking direction to the concerned authorities to draft guidelines, rules, or procedures for proper physical education instruction in all public and private schools with necessary physical education infrastructures, such as a playground and a gym.

A division bench of Chief justice Munishwar Nath Bhandari and Justice N. Mala observed, that physical activity improves a student's physical and mental strength while also developing comradeship, instilling discipline, and leadership qualities.

“The essence of physical education is the overall development of a student's personality and spirit and if this is the essence of sports, how could playgrounds be eliminated in schools”, the bench added.

The petitioner emphasized the importance of physical education as a pivotal tool for the comprehensive development of personality, claiming that the government has not paid adequate attention to physical education as a subject in schools, resulting in inadequate infrastructure and a lack of physical education teachers.

Referring to a newspaper report stating that only 40 of Tamil Nadu's 9000 schools employ a physical education teacher, the petitioner contended that such a sorry state of affairs in schools is due to the State's successive governments' poor planning and lack of vision.

It was submitted that the schools without proper infrastructure are permitted to operate in violation of the Central Board of Secondary Education's (CBSE) Affiliation bye-laws and the provisions governing private schools in the state of Tamil Nadu.

It was added that the government should ensure that strict action is taken against schools that fail to meet the statutory requirements.

On the contrary, the counsel for the State submitted a status report revealing that 367 schools in Chennai District do not have playgrounds and use public grounds/ Corporation/Municipality playgrounds after obtaining necessary permission from the authorities.

It was further contended that physical education is made mandatory in all schools, that periods be allotted in the timetable, and that classes be held. It was also claimed that the officials in charge monitor the facilities regularly.

The State assured that the concerned authorities would make every effort to ensure that physical education is given equal weight as other subjects and that classes will be held to encourage physical activity.

Court noted that the Tamil Nadu Private Schools (Regulation) Act, 2018 also mandates the grant of a certificate of recognition, on the extent of playground available to the pupil and the adequacy of the playground concerning the strength of the pupil in the school.

“A similar provision exists in the Tamil Nadu Recognised Private Schools (Regulation) Rules, 1974”, the court added.

Court also noted that the Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Act, 2009 significantly emphasizes on physical activities and sports infrastructure.

While disposing of the petition, the Court directed the concerned authorities to ensure that the provisions of the law governing the particular schools – whether CBSE or Matriculation or State Board, are implemented stricto sensu.

Court also directed the government to constitute a Committee to monitor, and ensure that physical education is given its due importance, and that requisite infrastructure in all the schools is made available.

Case Title: Dr. P.R. Subaschadran v. State of Tamil Nadu and Ors.