Government plan to cut jobs in the P.E industry due to Math and English being more important. 

The government plan to make pe teachers redundant as they feel like other subjects are much more important than sport and that it should not be a compulsory subject, it should either be an option or not at all. A source from  ‘YouGov’ a website for statistics on subjects, math, English and Science have higher statistics on being more important than Sport, Math has 83/100, English with 84/100, Science with 68/100 whereas, P.E has 42/100, showing people are putting the mental education first rather than the physical, but studies show, to have a healthy brain you need a healthy body. 

I have interviewed two people who work at two different schools as pe teachers, who have plenty of qualifications, and asked their opinion on how they feel about the government putting the primary subjects above physical education. 

I spoke to Callum and Becky who work at two different schools in Hull and asked their opinions on sport,  first I spoke to Callum, his intake on the subject was; ‘I don’t think fitness is becoming less important as it can often depend on the child’s opportunities to try sports or access it in a socio economic sense. If they have less money, they may not be able to travel to training or sporting events unless they are in school. Which could limit their opportunities to try or take up sports they enjoy out of school. Making them more likely to be less active and play video games.’ 

 I then spoke to Becky and asked her views where; ‘Fitness is not becoming less important as it is equally as important as Maths and English because it keeps you healthy, it may not be seen as a subject that you need but your health is the most important thing about you’. 

Speaking to Callum, he had mentioned his qualifications, this proves that many people are interested in sport, whether it is teacher or in general and that it is equally important as the primary subjects; Math, English and Science. His qualifications are; ‘I have a level 2 fitness Instructor qualification, A cycle qualification (spin), Less mills cx worx qualification, BSc Sports Coaching Development and Fitness, Personal survival and rescue (pool),FA level 2’. 

Callum has been a P.E teacher for ‘6 years’ and Becky has been a P.E teacher for ’4 years’, previously Callum was a fitness instructor for ‘4 years’ and then decided to go into teaching, and he said; ‘My old PE teacher and head of year made me want to become a teacher. Enjoyment in his lessons which gave me a passion for sport and teaching.’ Also, Becky mentioned ‘I have always had an interest in sport and fitness since I was younger, so I thought what is better than teaching something you love for others to love it too.’ 

I asked what both of their opinions where on P.E teachers being made redundant as the government feel like other subjects should come first as they think fitness is less important, Callum said; ‘Schools are judged solely on progress until this changes – vocational courses such as PE, Drama, Music etc… will always be easy areas for school to de value even though they are the areas pupils often judge as their preferred areas for learning  giving them opportunities to express themselves. Schools are also not judged by area (socio economic) but progress therefore schools in deprived areas are under more pressure to cut these subjects as their pupils need more intervention/support and contact time in Maths, English and Science. To compete with schools in more affluent areas of the city. As a PE teacher it is frustrating and stops pupils from developing very important life skills and therefore allows our jobs to be de valued in the process.’ 

 Becky’s opinion was; ‘Sport is as important than any other subject, physical health is very important to your body, especially for teenagers who are constantly sat down in classrooms or on their phones, P.E makes them move around and lets them stop staring at a screen, it gives their brain as well as their body’s physical energy. People judge P.E as a subject that does not really matter as it has never been classed an important subject like other subjects, in my opinion it teaches them skills such as; team work, contact skills and confidence. Most pupils do prefer sport to Math or English if they are good at it or they enjoy it, sometimes it is what makes them want to come to school instead of them thinking that they must be there and have the wrong mind set. 

The website ‘eduction.gov’ says; ‘There are many benefits students receive from high school physical education classes that contribute to students becoming responsible adults who are aware of the importance of a healthy lifestyle. High school students retain a higher level of knowledge related to overall health that help them make educated decisions regarding their own health, safety and well-being.’ 

In many schools across the UK students don’t like s=going, there may be issues at school or they just don’t like it but many students like P.E and use physical energy as a coping mechanism if they are stressed or anxious this has been proved to be the best help. Studies show from the website ‘AnxietyUK’ that; ‘In addition to greater physical fitness, some of the mental benefits of physical exercise include: Less tension, stress and mental fatigue, A natural energy boost, Improved sleep’. This shows that sport can help and is equally as important as other subjects. ‘AnxietyUK’ also says it helps with; ‘A sense of achievement, Focus in life and motivation, Less anger or frustration, healthy appetite, A better social life’.  This proves that the government have not considered about the anxiety and wellbeing of others, if they did then it would be a compulsory subject, for those to enjoy and have fun.