Consequences of having Physical Education classes

in junior colleges and absence of it in Polytechnics

on students.
Situation:

The absence of Physical education classes in

Polytechnics have resulted in a lower level of fitness amongst
polytechnic students whereas students from junior colleges have a
higher fitness level due to physical education classes. (70% of poly
students fail their fitness tests while 70-80% of jc students pass).
1
Resulting in males ending up being required to enlist 2-3 months
earlier for national service.

Course of action:

The absence of Physical education classes in

polytechnics have resulted in lower fitness levels amongst poly
students whereas the implementation of PE in JCs have increased
students level of fitness.

1 Sp.edu.sg

Percentage of students passing Napfa

90
80
70
60

Percentage of students
passing Napfa

50
40
30
20
10
0
Junior colleges

Polytechnics

Positive and negative effects of Having/Not having PE classes in Junior colleges/Polytechnics

Junior Colleges
Physical education courses encourage
students to lead healthy lives. Students
who are required to participate in PE
classes end up being much more fit as
compared to those without PE. This
also encourages students to exercise
during adulthood and continue a
healthy lifestyle.
Mandatory PE classes can be
disadvantageous for students who have
strict academic requirements. Some
students need class time to focus on
advanced coursework that might help
them get into universities. Mandatory
PE classes limit a student's freedom to
choose where she wants to invest her

Polytechnics
As polytechnic students dont have
mandatory PE classes, they have
more time and freedom to choose
how he/she wishes to invest time in.
Students would be able to exercise
when they please and at their own
pace.
Due to the lack of PE classes in
Polytechnics, students may lack the
self-motivation to exercise and may end
up not exercising at all. This would
results in a very low level of fitness
amongst students as compared to
students from junior colleges.

time.

Reasons why polytechnics dont have PE:

Polytechnics are specifically designed to give students
more choices and flexibility in their choices and time
management. Hence making PE optional for students

Example of current strategy to counter

problem
Compulsory PE in Polys Pilot scheme
Discount for sports products for Poly

Limitations

Only applies to students for this specific

course and not everyone can afford it.

Plausible Solutions
Strategy

Informati Evaluation
on
Mandatory PE -Students (Positive)
lectures for all will have a Informatio
Engaging and
Poly students

Details

1 hour
lecture of
physical
health

n and
raises
education
awareness
regarding
Gives students
fitness and
the relevant
its
information
importanc
required to
e to be
prepare them
given to
students
( Healthy
(Negative)
diets, how
As it is only
to
conducted once,
exercise)
students may
forget about it
Motivation
completely
al videos
afterwards
for male
students to
encourage
them to
exercise
and to
alert them
of the

Improvements
Collaborate
with fitness
instructors
and
motivational
speakers
outside of the
place
Give
brochures
regarding all
relevant
information

consequen
ces of
being unfit
during NS.

Compulsory
fitness test for
all students
and those who
fail are
required to go
through PE
classes.

-Students
will have
to take the
Napfa test
and male
students
who fail
must go
through
PE classes
for a year.

-Students
who fail
the test
will
undergo
intensive
PE classes
similar to
those in
JCs.

(Postive)
Unfit students
coerced to be fit

Collaborate
with JCs and
fitness centres

(Negative)
Unhappiness
amongst
students

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