An evaluation of the need to make physical education an externally examinable subject in the senior high school curriculum

Abstract

This study evaluated the perceptions of students, physical education teachers and nonphysical education teachers on the external examinability or otherwise of physical education as a core subject in Senior High Schools. This descriptive survey study utilized a sample size which consisted of 170 respondents made up of hundred (100) nonphysical education teachers, sixty (60) students and ten(10) physical education teachers. Primary data for the analysis was obtained from the research conducted in three Senior High Schools in the Ejisu-Juaben municipality. The instrument used in the study contained 42 items with closed-ended and open-ended responses which was previously pilot-tested with other two friends to establish content validity. The findings of the study revealed that although, physical education is taught in schools, it was confirmed by majority of respondents in each of the categories ( 68% of students, 80% of physical education teachers, and 70% non-physical education teachers) that the subject was neither examined internally in most schools nor examined externally in whatever form or manner. Several schools had opted to use the physical education periods for sports training, limiting the entire time for the participation of only school athletes while denying non-performers the opportunity to exercise. It was recommended among others that, since majority of respondents agree to the adage that “a sound mind lies in a sound body”, physical education programmes should contain activities such as fitness, dance and outward bound activities to create fun and help participants’ live healthy lives