Health and Physical Education: A New Global Statement of Consensus - Perspectives from South Africa

Abstract

This article discusses the place of Health and Physical Education (PE) from the South African perspective in relation to the Global Forum on Physical Education Pedagogy 2010 (GOFPEP) Consensus Statement. The article highlights the absence of PE in South African school curricula and the consequences of the policy, such as the development of non-communicable diseases like overweight and obesity, particularly among children and adolescents. It also raises a serious concern on the development of other health problems like type II diabetes, hypertension, cardiovascular diseases and associated health problems. The article also contributes to the debate on the need for a paradigm shift in the focus of school curriculum. Attention is drawn to the focus of the GOFPEP 2010 Consensus Statement.

Keywords: Physical Education, health, curriculum, contemporary trends, consensus statement

African Journal for Physical, Health Education, Recreation and Dance(AJPHERD) Vol. 18, No. 2 (June) 2012, pp. 434-441