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A PROGRAMME OF PHYSICAL EDUCATION
Those who deal with Physical Education probably know that it has two main systems in our country - one Indian, the other foreign. Most of us prefer one to the other and emphasise that the system of our preference alone should be practised. But this being an age of synthesis, we must be prepared to accept even a synthesis in the field of Physical Education. For, each of these systems has a special contribution of its own and the exclusive practice of any one of them cannot by any means lead us to perfection. In order to bring about the proposed synthesis we have to understand both these systems. Then alone it is possible to plan out a suitable programme of Physical Education in harmony with the present need of our country. First of all a group of enthusiastic and able men is required, who can concentrate on the detailed study of our Indian system. To begin with they must gather all the possible information concerning health and Physical Education available in our country and judge how far these can be utilised for our present need. They must also keep an eye to the revival of the methods we have already forgotten or about to forget A similar group has to be sent as students to the eminent centres of Physical Education in foreign countries. These people must likewise study all the methods of health and Physical Education available abroad and shall see how much of that can also be applied in our country. Then, when both these groups will finish their study, they shall unite together and, considering the present situation of our country, they shall prepare an all round scheme and programme. We must not, however, forget that nothing can be prepared to last for ever. Along with the change of our people's condition, the scheme and programme of Physical Education has also to be improved. Therefore these studying groups will engage themselves in thorough research work for the better development of Physical Education and they will inform the directing body of the centres of Physical Education about the result of their research. Page - 1 It is understood that such works require a good deal of money and time. In order to be able to appear on the actual field of action, we must not wait for the above-mentioned work to be complete. With a temporary programme and scheme in hand, at once we have to set ourselves in the field of Physical Education. The programme should be such that every- body, regardless of age and sex, can participate in it according to their capacity and their liking. Our first need is a number of directors and instructors of Physical Education. For every 500 people there should be one director, and from 8 to 12 instructors under each director. This alone can let us hope for an efficient working. Colleges of Physical Education should be opened to prepare directors and instructors of Physical Education. Like Medical Science, Engineering or Law, Physical Education has also to be considered as a special subject, and it should be taught with equal importance and care. A director of Physical Education should be under training at least for four years, whereas an instructor for two years. A director has to possess all the qualities of a capable leader. His ideal has to be the guide of his life and it must lead him and his fellow men on the path of truth and teach them to do the right thing in the right way, at the right moment. He has to ac- quire a sufficient knowledge both theoretical and practical of all the branches of Physical Education. He must also learn how to direct properly and he should be a clever organiser too. He should have a deep knowledge of what is true education and how to impart it. An instructor of Physical Education has also to possess these qualities in general, and particularly he should acquire thorough knowledge of the various techniques of all the different branches of Physical Education, so that he becomes an expert in his line. When the directors and the instructors complete their training course, they will be immediately sent to the centres for work. There they should concentrate more on the younger students and see which of them possess the capacity and wish to grow into true leaders in the field of Physical Education. These students must be given all possible facilities to develop into leaders and should also be taught the qualities of a leader. Then, when they grow up, they will be Page - 2 sent to the training colleges where they will turn out to be either directors instructors according to their capacity. Thus we can meet the demand of true leaders in the field of Physical Education. The following subjects can be taught in the colleges of Physical Education. Here we give the mere outlines which should be largely expanded in the practical field of action:- 1. EDUCATION FOR THE IDEAL - That will guide one self through the march of life (Teachings of the Mother and Sri Aurobindo). 2. THE CULTURAL HISTORY OF ONE'S COUNTRY & ITS CONTRIBUTION TO THE PROGRESS OF MAN. 3. THE LANGUAGES - one should be taught to acquire sufficient skill in speaking, writing and reading in order to express oneself properly and to understand others. The following languages may be taught: a) One's own Mother Tongue. b) English. c) French. 4. GENERAL PRINCIPLES OF EDUCATION & TEACHING. 5. GENERAL PRINCIPLES OF PHYSICAL EDUCATION. 6. HISTORY OF PHYSICAL EDUCATION. 7. ORGANISATION AND ADMINISTRATION OF PHYSICAL EDUCATION. 8. METHODS OF PHYSICAL EDUCATION 9. OFFICIATING AND COACHING IN THE DIFFERENT ACTIVITIES OF PHYSICAL EDUCATION. 10. HEALTH & HYGIENE - The principles of domestic, school, athletic, national and personal hygiene. Page - 3 11. ANATOMY - The main elements of normal human anatomy, particularly the structures of the organs of movement. 12 . PHYSIOLOGY - The elements of the functions of the human body and the physiology theory of movement. 13 . SAFETY EDUCATION & FIRST AID. 14. CAMPING & OUTING. 15. ONE SHOULD BE TAUGHT TO ACQUIRE SUFFICIENT SKILL IN THE FOLLOWING ACTIVITIES OF PHYSICAL EDUCATION:-
There are many truly gifted people in our country. But it is a disgrace on our part that we have not yet learn how to appreciate their qualities. Therefore these numerous qualified men find no opportunity to serve their Motherland at their best. Most of them are ardently enthusiastic and willing to serve their people; if they are given proper chance to work out their faculties, they will bring about wonderful results favourable for their country.
In the Colleges of Physical Education these men can be invited to give lectures on or to teach the subjects of which they are experts. If they respond to this call, and collaborate in this endeavour, then it is obvious that these colleges should produce excellent Directors and Instructors of Physical Education.
For every 500 people there should be one centre of Physical Education all over the country. Each centre will have to follow the programme given hereafter. There should be two sections of Physical Education one Health-Education and the other Physical Training. With equal importance both these sections should be taught to the people.
THE PURPOSE OF HEALTH EDUCATION SHOULD BE:-
i) To inform the people about health and hygiene by the help of posters, films, lectures and exhibitions. ii) To look after the sanitation and cleanliness of the place. iii) To prevent and fight diseases and infections. iv) To arrange periodical health examinations of the people and those who need special attention. Page - 5 v) To look after the purity of food and drink produced in the country.
PHYSICAL TRAINING SHOULD COMPRISE OF:-
i) Corrective measures for those who are defective and deficient ii) Well-planed programme for the normal people. iii) To organise competitions in different branches of Physical education. iv) To organise demonstrations of physical performances of the different branches of Physical Education.
CORRECTIVE MEASURES:-
Those who are physically defective and deficient should be separated from the normal group. A suitable programme has to be made to correct their defects and more concentration should be given to carry it out. Sufficient arrangements should be made to give them recreation and entertainment, and the programme has to be planned in such a way that instead of feeling it to be a troublesome burden, or a period of boredom, they will like it, and will participate in it with enthusiasm. As they improve and get rid of their defects, they can be taken into normal groups, and given the normal programme.
PROGRAMME FOR NORMAL GROUP:-
A complete programme of Physical Education is to be made for this group. Up to the age of 18 years, the activities should be varied as far as possible for the harmonious growth and development of all the parts and capacities of the body. They should be encouraged to take part in all the activities. The thought of specialisation in one or a few subjects should not be brought in before the age of about 18 years, after which they can go for specialisation if they like. But still, provisions and facilities should be kept for those who want to continue all the activities. Page -6 The subject must be varied i.e., Gymnastics, Athletics, Games, Aquatics, Combatives, Rhythmics etc. All is to be blended in a programme, which will be followed throughout the year to fit every requirement of the body without giving a special emphasis on one subject, or another. Thus progress will not be in a straight line but in a spiral movement which will include everything. But one thing should be taught to the people that while taking exercise, they must understand the capacity of their body and stop when they have reached the limit of the endurance of the body. When they know it well, then whatever they do and as many things they take up , they will know where to stop and in this way avoid overdoing and accident.
Though the programme should be varied, yet in the beginning of an organisation one must not aim at a big start. One must make a modest beginning and be satisfied with what is easily available, advancing in a progressive manner, while keeping the broad vision always in front
The programme of the different age groups may be arranged as follows:-
i) Children under 5 years
They can be given free play in the open air under proper super vision.
ii) From 5 to 10 years They can be given free play and varieties of simple and minor games in the open air, and can be taught very easy calisthenic exercises for the proper development of the different parts of the body. Attention should be paid to bring to them the sense of grace, harmony and beauty in each movement Thus their body will be prepared for advanced training which will come when they grow up.
iii)11 to 14 years In addition to the programme of the 2nd group they can be taught a preliminary technique of all the different branches of Physical Education.
iv) From 15 to 18 years
Now more concentration should be given for the proper and proportionate development of all the parts of the body through body building exercises. At this age they can start to learn in details all the technique of the different branches of Physical Education.
In no way a child before the age of 18 should make vigorous effort or strain himself in taking physical exercises. It is only after the age of 18 that they should put their maximum effort, but still refraining from all kinds of overdoing and straining.
TO ORGANISE COMPETITIONS IN DIFFERENT BRANCHES OF PHYSICAL EDUCATION
In order to give a stimulus for keeping up interest and enthusiasm, competitions in different branches of Physical Education are to be organised and successful performers may be awarded prizes.
The competitions can go on through the year, devoting certain time to each subject. Naturally, with the competitions, the people should be taught the spirit of fair play without which the thing turns out to be meaningless.
TO ORGANISE DEMONSTRATIONS
For mutual understanding and exchange of ideas and growth of fellow-feeling, some festivals of Physical Education is to be organised. There, arrangements will be made for the demonstrations of Physical Education. Page - 8 On the 21st February, the festival will be in each Centre, in each village. A programme should be made for the day, and the demonstration will be made on a mass scale.
On the 15th August, all the centres will meet at one centre and each one will give its performance, showing the speciality of the centre, if any. The central meeting will be held by turn in one district every year. We may think that the money and effort needed for such a big programme and scheme may not be available in the beginning and there- fore they will never materialise. But here comes the test of true great- ness. In the case of those who sincerely serve their Motherland, want her to prosper, and all her children to be happy, the bigger the difficulty the more they are stark in their motive. They can try their best to achieve the slightest good for their country, and they will never be lacking the necessary efforts, and will bravely undergo all the troubles in order to accomplish their task. This is the way in which all the leading nations have attained greatness. We must perform well our duty towards our country in the hope to make her great. Then alone she can come to the height she is destined to reach. For the sake of this ideal we must reject all our pettiness, limitations, egoistic and selfish aims either individual or collective and concentrate all our energies to serve the Motherland according to our individual capacity. We must make the large use of the machine power which is the greatest contribution of this age. In spite of man's strenuous toil to procure his livelihood, he sees no solution to this primary problem. Machines can help him to get more work in less time and consequently can give him sufficient leisure. At last man will get time to understand that his goal on earth is not merely food, cloth or comfort, but there are many more things to occupy him. But we should always remember that as we solve this problem of man's life, everybody should be given a great ideal according to which they should be all trained. Otherwise the leisure that will come to them and the energy that will be collected due to the removal of their troubles and miseries will all be misused and wasted in- Page - 9 stead of being spent for their self-development and their integral progress. Consequently man will fall back to the hands of the same age long difficulties and sufferings. — Pranab Kumar Bhattacharya
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