In a significant move to protect students' right to physical activity, the Karnataka State Commission for Protection of Child Rights (KSCPCR) has issued a directive prohibiting schools from using physical education periods for academic subjects.
Student Complaints Prompt Action
The decision came after commission members discovered during student interactions that dedicated physical education periods were being routinely diverted for teaching other academic subjects. KSCPCR member Thippeswamy formally raised this concern in a letter addressed to the Department of School Education and Literacy.
"During our interaction with students, we learnt that periods dedicated to physical education were being used for other subjects," wrote Thippeswamy in his communication dated 19 November 2025. This practice has raised serious concerns about the holistic development of students and their fundamental right to physical activity.
Protecting Children's Right to Physical Activity
The commission's intervention highlights the growing concern about academic pressure compromising essential physical development activities in schools. Physical education plays a crucial role in maintaining students' physical health, mental well-being, and overall development.
By diverting these specialized periods to academic instruction, schools are not only depriving children of necessary physical activity but also violating educational guidelines that emphasize balanced development. The KSCPCR's directive aims to ensure that schools maintain the integrity of the curriculum and provide students with the complete educational experience they are entitled to receive.
Implementation and Future Implications
The directive now requires all schools across Karnataka to strictly adhere to the timetable allocation for physical education without any deviations for academic purposes. This move is expected to:
- Ensure students receive adequate physical activity during school hours
- Reduce academic pressure by providing necessary breaks from classroom learning
- Promote holistic development encompassing both mental and physical growth
- Restore the importance of physical education in the school curriculum
The Department of School Education and Literacy is expected to circulate this directive to all schools in the state and monitor compliance to ensure that students' rights to physical education are fully protected.
