The general well-being of school children is becoming a prime concern among the public. Some argue that required physical education can contribute positively to it. Conversely, others think this action can make little difference to the overall well-being and other measures should be included.In this essay, both views will be discussed and a multifaceted approach will be examined.
A growing number of people believe that compulsory PE can benefit children’s future life. They claim that it can equip them with flexibility and resilience. For example, a long-distance run can make children realise the importance of adjusting goals and not giving up. This growth mindset can let them overcome difficulties in their future life. Another common belief about the necessity of compulsory PE is that it can improve students’ level of fitness. This is because with the proliferation of internet access, many schoolchildren become addicted to the cyber activities, leading to a sedentary lifestyle among them, such as sending likes on twitter during travelling in cars and playing computer games on sofa all day. As a result, they are more likely to become overweight and even obese. Consequently, the required PE lesson may become the main way, or the only way, for them to work out to improve their fitness.
Others, on the other hand, believe that schools should not be the only entity bearing the responsibility of the children’s health condition. They claim that teachers can encourage or even force children to do exercise in school and that workers in the canteen can ensure students have an easy access to a healthy diet. When children are out of school, conversely, they are not controlled and monitored by school any more. It is not uncommon to see an expansion of fast food outlets, such as hamburgers, pizzas and French fries. If communities did not take some actions to these fast food restaurants, schoolchildren’s health problem would no longer be solved completely. Moreover, many schoolchildren are suffering from mental illness. This may due to heavy school work, high parents’ expectation and even domestic violence. Therefore, government should play a part in school education, parent-child relationship and legislation.
In summary, it is true that required PE offered by school can improve students’ health condition and contribute positively to their future, but school cannot solve the general well-being unaided. Communities and the government should play their role in the overall health.