Module 1

THE LEGAL BASES OF PHYSICAL EDUCATION

Intended Learning Outcome:

At the end of the lesson, the student should be able to:

A. Discuss the legal bases of Physical Education.

B. Identify and understand why Physical Education is a part of curriculum.

C. Appreciate the importance of Physical Education.

Physical Education’s is important such makes it legally compulsory in most cultures, to develop
character, promotes a healthy life style, sets a person up for a happy and productive youth life.

1987 Philippine Constitution

The 1987 Constitution is the utmost symbol of Philippine statehood. It is the central institution
in our political system. However, given the ignorance and indifference to our Constitution Day
unraveled by my informal survey, it appears that the “democratic principles” and the “noble and
lofty ideals” enshrined in this sublime document are not yet properly instilled in our hearts and
minds. Of course, there are other more telling proofs which actually show that the constitutional
spirit has yet to be infused in our political consciousness.

Article 1 of the International Charter of Physical Education 1, Interdisciplinary Regional

Meeting of Experts on Physical Education, UNESCO, Brisbane, Australia, 1982. States that:
“The practice of Physical Education and Sports is Fundamental rights for all. And this right
should not be treated as different in principle from the right to the adequate food, shelter and
medical care.”

As stated in Article XIV, Section 19, 1987 Constitution of the Republic of the Philippines,
provides; “The state shall promote Physical Education and encourage sports program, league
competition, and amateur sports including training for international competition to foster self-
discipline, teamwork and excellence for the development of a healthy and alert citizenry.”
“All educational institution shall undertake regular sport activities throughout the country and in
cooperation with athletic club and other sectors.” In the Filipino people develop a teaching
system for Physical Education. And all public and private school used this teaching system to
improve physical fitness, self-discipline, strengthened peer relationship, and improvement
of self-esteem and confidence of a person.

As stated in the legal provision, the State encourage the development of healthy communities as
well as a healthy citizenry by promoting Physical Education which are manifested in different
forms such as sports programs league completion in the provincial, regional and
international arena. It is clearly stated that government adheres to this kind endeavor. This kind
of development can be well manifested and employed in Physical Education where in the
citizens become aware of the benefits of indulging in Physical Education and Sports.

As the saying goes “Healthy body makes a healthy mind and so it could reach out the
communities as well in general and in proper perspective.” It does not end only on that premises
more so, a new endeavor has been well manifested in Presidential Decree No. 6 which states
that one of the educational objectives of the Department of Education is to encourage educational
practitioner to design, utilize and improve instructional technology and develop or produce
textbook and other instructional materials leading to quality education.

Basic Physical Education in College the services Physical Education refers to the four subjects
given in the freshmen and sophomores in the first four semester of their college work as
stipulated in the DECS Order No. 58, series of 1990.
The first official inclusion of sport and physical activity as part of human rights was published in
the 1978 International Charter of Physical Education and Sports as part of the United
Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). “One of the essential
conditions for the effective exercise of the human rights is that everyone should be free to
develop and preserve his or her physical, intellectual and moral powers, and that access to
physical education and sport should consequently be assured and guaranteed for all human
beings.”

Republic Act No. 5708 An Act Providing for the Promotion and Financing of an Integrated
Physical Education and Sports Development Program for the Schools in the Philippines Republic
Act No. 5708 Congress of the Philippines, 21 June 1969 Be it enacted by the Senate and House
of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress assembled:

SECTION 1. This Act shall be known as “The Schools Physical Education and Sports
Development Act of 1969.”

SECTION 2. An integrated physical education and sports development program in all schools in
the Philippines shall be undertaken by the Department of Education in accordance with the
following guiding principles:

(1) The goal of physical education is to instill in young citizens a proper appreciation of the
importance of physical development hand in hand with the mental development in individual and
social activities;

(2) The sports and other activities in a physical education program should provide opportunities
for the athletic development of children and youth who have the competitive spirit as well as
grace, coordination, stamina and strength;

(3) A well-rounded physical education program must be addressed to physical growth, social
training, and personal, discipline for all pupils and students, as well as superior athletic
achievement for those who are psychologically inclined and physically gifted; and

(4) An integrated program for sports development in the schools requires effective organizational
planning and administration with provisions for adequate training facilities and sustained stable
financing.
SECTION 3. Pursuant to the guiding principles as herein above provided, the Secretary of
education shall be prescribed by regulation a program of activities in the Bureau of Public
Schools, Bureau of Private Schools and the Bureau of Vocational Education which shall include
among others.

(1) A program of health education and nutrition with increased emphasis on food production
activities to augment and improve the pupils' and students' diets;

(2) a program of general physical fitness for all pupils in the elementary and secondary schools
through an observance of a daily routine of calisthenics exercises and a separate daily period in
the school program for physical education including folk dancing and gymnastics;

(3) a program of competitive athletics in all schools starting in the intermediate grades with a
view to identifying promising athletes whose participation in individual and team athletics
should be further encouraged, developed and supervised more intensively in the secondary
schools;

(4) a program of intramural and inter-unit athletic competition within schools, districts and
provinces prescribed by the three bureaus with proper recognition and incentive awards for
outstanding performance in competitive activities; and

(5) an annual program of athletic competition within and among regions and in interscholastic or
national meets formulated by athletic associations organized by each bureau: Provided, that in
the formulation of regulations the Secretary of Education shall seek the recommendation of the
Department of Health through its Secretary with respect to the program of general physical
fitness for pupils and students and the program of health education in the present.

SECTION 4. There shall be created in the Department of Education a Physical Education and
Sports Center Development Commission composed of the assistant Secretary for Physical
Education, as Chairman the Director of Public Works, the Physical Director of the University of
the Philippines, the three coordinators each representing the Bureau of the Public Schools, the
Bureau of Vocational Education, and the Bureau of Private Schools and the President of the
Philippine Amateur Athletics Federation, as members.

SECTION 5. The Assistant Secretary for Physical Education shall oversee the promotion and
coordination of the school’s physical education and a sports development program under the
general supervision and control of the Secretary of Education. The Physical Education and
Sports Development Commission shall submit an annual report to the Secretary of Education
who shall make appropriate recommendations to the President and to the Congress. The Physical
education coordinators shall promote and coordinate the physical education and sports
development program in their respective bureaus under the direction of the corresponding bureau
director.

SECTION 6. Sports centers shall be established in cities, provincial capitals or in municipalities

determined by the Commission upon the recommendation of the provincial board or the city
council as the sports center site for the province, which shall have standard grounds and facilities
for track and field and ball games, gymnasia, swimming pools and dormitory and cafeteria. The
Assistant Secretary for Physical Education shall oversee the promotion and coordination of the
school’s physical education and a sports development program under the general supervision and
control of the Secretary of Education.

SECTION 7. Within one year following the effectivity of this Act, the Department of Education

shall undertake a five-year coach development program, in coordination with similar programs
launched by the University of the Philippines, and the Philippine Amateur Athletic Federation
(PAAF) and the Armed Forces of the Philippines, for the training of coaches in the Bureau of
Public Schools, Bureau of Private Schools, and the Bureau of Vocational Education.

Physical Education aims to provide children and young people with learning experiences that
enable them to develop knowledge, motivation and competence to live a physically active life;
physically, morally, intellectually and social within an education context where students are
valued and cared.

Establishing and implementing high quality physical education (PE) programs can provide
students with the appropriate knowledge, skills, behaviors, and confidence to be physically fit
and healthy life style. High quality physical education is the cornerstone of a physical activity
program. Also, evaluation is an important part of the education process. It is the way to act of
making judgment around which education decision will be made meeting the needs of the
students, the effectiveness of teaching and the value of the physical education program itself. The
purpose of this work text to help the faculty and students to promote physical education program
enhance the movement through exercise.