The goal for PE is a universal one, as everyone wants their children to be happy and healthy. 
However, the decision to incorporate PE classes into everyday curriculum isn’t as easy as it may seem. While the United States educational system struggles to find the optimal balance of physical education and core academic subjects, the rest of the world is faced with several identical and also some vastly differing problems with physical education programs.
In comparison to the rest of the world, sports are not popular in India. The Indian mentality puts a much bigger focus on academics, with very little priority put into PE and recreational activities. A lack of properly qualified teachers and facilities comes as a result from that. Indian society simply can’t alter its perception of PE as a non-educational activity. Indian women are also faced with prejudice, as they are often discouraged from participating in PE because of how it will allegedly alter their bodies to be “unfeminine”.
The problems in physical education that Pakistan faces are in parallel to the India situation. Pakistan shares the same “non-educational activity” mentality that India has, thus causing their PE programs to fall in derelict. Physical education development also has a unique problem in Pakistan, as cultural and religious customs prevent women from being able to participate in sports and physical activities.
In South Africa, an entirely different problem exists in the physical education programs. Due to the legally established racial segregation of apartheid that was in place until 1994, the South African PE programs are vastly differing from one another. White schools have the adequate tools, facilities, and teachers to provide students with a successful PE program, while black schools lack even the most basic of necessities. As with many other countries, the PE programs are undervalued in comparison to the rest of the curriculum.
The educational system in Britain faced a very similar situation to the one in the United States. A survey completed by the Sports and Physical Education Network (SPEN) has found that government places pressure on the children to perform well academically, while hampering their physical development. In 1999, SPEN found that half a million hours of PE class were cut from the year before. Such major cuts are devastating blows to the growth and expansion of PE programs.
Physical education programs all around the world are facing the same problem, as the importance of a successful PE program is put far under the success of the academic programs. Many of the decision makers don’t seem to realize the benefits of a successful PE program. Culturally, it just seems as though physical education classes lack the respect that they so desperately need in order to improve and grow. Without well established PE programs, the only thing that can result from it is more obesity. Obesity is a direct cause of health problems, thus creating an increased cost to the general populous with increased medical care costs. Properly executed PE programs give children the skills and knowledge that they need in order to remain fit and healthy for the rest of their lives, cutting these programs for the sake of cost or time restrictions can only hurt the upbringing of future generations.
However, the decision to incorporate PE classes into everyday curriculum isn’t as easy as it may seem. While the 
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7 comments:
It is interesting to see how many countries consider PE of less importance than anything else.
While physical activities are very important, it doesnt seem like the school's responsibilities to provide this. I believe it is the parents.
Again, we see schools teach kids what parents should. And with this, there should be more funding if schools have to pick up parent's slack.
by John
I know PE teachers are often joked about and ridiculed, but after reading your blog I have much more respect for the role they play in our education. While some of the PE teacher stereotypes still hold true despite your efforts, this blog has made me seriously consider their impact on our lifestyles.
its interesting that a lot of countries don't put PE at the top of the priority list when it comes to education. But it does make sense. The countries would rather produce students who can make nuclear bombs, design fuel efficient anythings and find the cure for cancer. Sports and athletics have become so blown out of proportion in the US that students get full scholarships to their choice college just becuase they play a sport. I might be exaggerating a bit, but in any other country other than the US, sports really arent that important (or as important as in America) in high school or even college.
another problem is that the kids in the US are probably the most obese compared to kids in every other country in the world. I guess they have to be forced to do activity sometime during the day.
wow i have always hated PE, especially at Punahou. I had no idea that i was taking advantage of something that people around the world don't even get to participate in. Even though i hate PE i understand why its a good class to have in the schools curriculum's and i cant believe that some schools don't have in the schools at all.
Yikes, only 95% of school have Physical education? In junior school at punahou, PE used to be my favorite class, but i definitely thought the 30 minute class was way too short. Also, we didn't actually learn how to be healthy and how to eat healthy. All i can remember is playing four square and dodgeball...I do think PE in the acadamy is well worth it though. PE 1 in freshman year, whoo that was a killer class.
Punahou should do the same for the junior school, by increasing the time duration of the PE class, or have the activites be more strenuous.
wow I didn't realize that all of these other countries deem physical education so unimportant. For me, I grew up around sports so I enjoy and know the importance of PE. I also can't see why exercise is seen as 'unfeminine' because it is important to stay fit and healthy.
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