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43
STATEMENT ON PHYSICAL EDUCATION FOR
THE YEAR 1943.
General. As a branch of the teaching service, Physical
Education is still in the process of recovery from the effects of
the first two years of war. Complete recovery cannot be
expected until our specialist teachers return from their various
war duties and bring with them the youth and vitality so
essential to the progress and development of this subject in the
schools.
In the few schools where the teaching staffs have been less
handicapped by changes and dilution, outstanding progress in
the standard of physical training and organised games has been
Made; for the rest, the best that can be said is that they have
done their best to maintain pre-war standards in spite of
trying difficulties.
The provision of additional blackout accommodation in the
Borough and the decreasing incidents of enemy raids have
resulted in a general increase in the number of evening classes
in recreative physical training for adolescents and young people.
The Education Committee's foresight in providing for this
anticipated development by the erection of dual purpose
gymnasia for school and post-school use has already been amply
justified.
Physical Education in Elementary Schools.
(a) Physical Exercises. The subject has continued to play
an important part in the curricula of all schools, and
may claim, with the excellent arrangements for school
milk and meals, to contribute in no small measure to
the improved nutritional appearance of our school
children. The fact that regular and suitable exercise is
an important factor in raising the nutritional index of
the growing child is often overlooked ; good nutrition
depends not only on correct feeding, but also on the
ability of the body to make the best use of what food
is available to it.
In spite of the Education Committee's readiness to
ensure supplies of plimsolls for physical training, the
Quantities available under trade restrictions are still
inadequate to meet the needs of all school children.
Restrictions on clothing have also proved a difficulty, as
few parents to-day appear willing to give up the
necessary coupons for such articles as "gym" shorts
and vests, etc. The question of providing suitable
clothing for physical exercises is a matter which should
now be seriously considered by this Authority,