School Principals Advocate for Emphasis on Sports and Transition to Aptitude-Based Evaluations

In a recent conference attended by around 100 school principals across Tamil Nadu, there was a strong emphasis on the need to integrate sports more deeply into the educational curriculum and to adopt a more holistic approach to student assessment. The inter-board principals conference, held at Christwood school in Ponmar, highlighted the importance of moving beyond the traditional marks-based system and instead focusing on a model that values students’ diverse strengths and interests.

The principals stressed that schools should no longer treat sports as an afterthought, but rather as a core component of education. According to P W C Davidar, a former advisor to the state government, schools should conduct regular assessments to track students’ fitness and progress in sports, similar to how academic subjects are evaluated. This approach would not only boost students’ interest in sports but also help them discover new areas of passion and improve their overall health[2].

Sugandhi Vishwanathan, principal of Aklavya International School in Puducherry, echoed this sentiment, emphasizing that schools need to recognize and value students’ strengths beyond their academic performance. She argued that children require educational environments that acknowledge their varied talents and interests, rather than solely focusing on exam marks[2].

One of the key proposals put forward was the implementation of an aptitude-based assessment system. This would involve shifting away from the traditional marks-based admissions and instead using a system that better reflects students’ skills and interests. A Senthil Kumaran, director of Excelone Edu Services, pointed out that many students’ potential is not adequately captured by their academic scores. An aptitude-based approach would provide a fairer measure of students’ abilities and align more closely with global assessment standards such as the Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA)[2].

In addition to the focus on sports and aptitude-based assessments, the conference also discussed the need to modernize classroom instruction. Principals suggested introducing courses in digital literacy, environmental education, and soft skills to prepare students for the challenges of the modern world. Joseph Emmanuel, secretary of the Council for the Indian School Certificate Examinations, announced plans to introduce environmental science and communicative English courses in CISCE schools for classes XI and XII. These initiatives aim to ensure that students are proficient in navigating digital tools and online resources, which are essential skills for the future[2].

The conference underscored the importance of creating a supportive and inclusive educational environment. By prioritizing sports and physical education, schools can foster a culture that promotes health, discipline, and overall well-being among students. This aligns with broader educational goals, such as those outlined by the Tamil Nadu School Education Department, which has emphasized the compulsory inclusion of physical education in all classes for schools under the State board[1].

However, there are challenges to implementing these changes, particularly in terms of resource allocation. Recent decisions by the Tamil Nadu school education department to increase the student-to-teacher ratio for Physical Education Teachers (PETs) have raised concerns about the impact on the quality of physical education in government schools. The new ratio of one PET for every 700 students could compromise the ability to provide individualized attention and proper supervision, potentially affecting the discipline and safety of students during physical activities[3].

Despite these challenges, the consensus among the principals is clear: there is a pressing need to redefine the role of sports and physical education within the educational framework. By doing so, schools can better equip students with the skills, health, and well-being necessary to succeed in all aspects of life.

[Original Article Link](https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chennai/school-principals-urge-for-sports-focused-education-and-aptitude-based-assessment/articleshow/115095111.cms)

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