AN AGREEMENT has been struck to help deliver PE targets in primary and secondary schools.
Every school pupil in Scotland will benefit from at least two hours per week of physical education in primary school and two periods in S1 to S4 by 2014.
Sport Minister Shona Robison, Learning Minister Alasdair Allan and COSLA’s Education spokesperson Cllr Isabel Hutton were speaking today at Tynecastle High School on the Scottish Government and COSLA’s shared vision of PE teaching in Scotland.
The Scottish Government has pledged £3.4 million to the plan
To support local authorities in reaching the target of providing at least two hours or two periods of PE sportscotland has identified an additional £3.4 million to be distributed to authorities over the next two years to help deliver the pledge. This will be supplemented with a further £2.4 million package of national developments led by Education Scotland to increase the support available to local authorities and teachers.
Each local authority will work in partnership with sportscotland and Education Scotland to agree an action plan which will help support delivery of their commitment.
Ms Robison said:
“The Scottish Government is committed to ensuring the provision of at least two hours per week of physical education in primary schools and at least two periods of PE in secondary schools for pupils in S1-S4 by 2014. We want to increase opportunities for children to get involved in sport and physical activity.
“Today’s announcement marks yet another significant milestone on the journey towards delivering a tangible and enduring legacy for the 2014 Commonwealth Games and adds to our already significant investment into providing opportunities for children to get involved in a wide range of sport and physical activities in and around the school day through programmes such as Active Schools.
Cllr Isabel Hutton, COSLA Education, Children and Young People Spokesperson added:
“COSLA welcomes the additional funding being provided by Scottish Government to help schools deliver increased physical education to children and young people. We recognise the benefits of our young people being healthy, fit and active and this will help us build on the good progress which we have made in recent years. The funding will allow local authorities to give a final push to what has been a long standing ambition. I think with the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow in 2014 the timing is very appropriate.”
