Physical literacy

Minister of Sport and Recreation, Fikile Mbalula, July 2014.

“Our consistent call to have physical education de-linked from the subject life orientation, and made a stand-alone subject has been ignored and disregarded. We strongly and firmly believe that physical education is key to ensuring that sport at schools becomes an integral part of the curriculum."


I would disagree with the minister on 2 points, the first with reference to the curriculum statement on life orientation:

"Life Orientation is the study of the self in relation to others and to society. It is a unique subject in the Further Education and Training Band in that it applies a holistic approach to the personal, social, intellectual, emotional, spiritual, motor and physical growth and development of learners."

-National Curriculum Statement

Department of Education

A separation of the physical education component from the rest of the life orientation curriculum would not contribute to the development of a holistic person. It is precisely the integration of the physical along with the intellectual, emotional and spiritual that would serve to create holistic individuals. To this end I would argue that rather than dividing the teaching load, life orientation teachers should aim to show learners the connection between their body and mind. 

Secondly, although sport is a great vehicle to introduce physical activity to learners, this should be a tool used in a larger framework rather than an end in itself. What should be at the heart of the physical aspect of the curriculum is a focus on basic human movement patterns. Able bodied learners (and adults) should be able to perform a range of basic human movements, many of which are often neglected in our desk ridden, electronic lifestyle. From this starting point different sports can be introduced to learners who would hopefully develop a love for movement and the social aspect of sports. 

Exposure to sports is secondary to having students who can move well and keep their bodies physically healthy. Most important is an understanding of the connection between the physical and the mental. An understanding that our mental and emotional states are often influenced by our physical bodies.