Separate Directorate needed to promote sports in schools: Committee

Bangalore, Dec 12 (UNI) A seven-member Committee, set up by the Karnataka Government to suggest ways to revamp Physical Education system up to Pre-University level in the state, has recommended setting up of a separate Directorate for Physical Education.

Funds collected under 'Kreeda Nidhi' (Sports Fund) from school students should be managed by the Directorate and for this purpose, a new Sports Policy should be drawn up, it suggested.

The Committee, headed by Prof L R Vaidyanathan, today submitted its report to Primary and Secondary Education Minister Basavaraj S Horatti.

Speaking to UNI here, Prof Vaidyanathan said the minister assured to implement the recommendations after officials scrutinised it as some of the recommendations sought changes in cadre and recruitment rules to treat Physical Education teachers as Assistant Masters and consider them for promotions up to Head Master's level.

He said it was recommended to introduce Physical Education in the curriculum and make teaching Physical Education compulsory from first to 12th standards, besides holding examination up to class 11th.

The Committee recommended that physical education teachers be appointed in all primary schools having a strength of at least 50 students and an additional post be created in schools with over 500 students. It suggested that between three and 20 per cent grace marks be awarded to candidates, applying for physical education teacher posts, if they had achieved distinction in sports from taluk to international levels.

In its 120-page report, the Committee also wanted the Government to take over Sports Schools functioning under the Youth Service Department at present.

Prof Vaidyanathan said the Committee had also asked the Government to consider allowing physical education teachers with BPED and MPED degrees to appear for competitive examinations, including the Karnataka Administrative Service.

He said more competitive sports events should be held at the taluk level and a grant should be given and necessary infrastructure created in schools which conduct such events.

The Committee had recommended the introduction of yoga from primary school level. The Government should set apart Rs 15 crore for sports development in schools up to Pre-University level.

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