Challenges to Integrate Physical Education, Sports and Yoga in National Education Policy 2020

Abstract

The national education policy 2020 was initiated on 29th July 2020. The provisions of this policy aim at the holistic development of students which was envisaged in the ancient Indian education system. The ancient Indian knowledge system helps children to grow and be ready to face and succeed on the greatest test, called life. In ancient Indian knowledge systems arts, sports, yoga and physical education were integral parts of the ancient Indian knowledge system because they knew the importance of physical education, sports and yoga for the overall development of students. Keeping this in mind, the new education policy 2020 proposes and intends to include physical education, sports and yoga in the school curriculum not as extracurricular activities but in the main curriculum. This is a great initiative in NEP 2020 because it has been scientifically documented that physical education, sports and yoga are the basic pillars of physical, mental and social health. Physical education also provides knowledge about anatomy, physiology etc. so that students are aware of how the body functions and this inculcates their inclination towards healthy habits and responsibility to save our environment. But there are certain challenges to adding physical education, sports and yoga to the school curriculum such as lack of infrastructure, unavailability of trained personnel, budget allocation, and perception of educators, administrators and parents towards physical education, sports and yoga, curriculum design and many more. It is easier said than done because these challenges need to be addressed properly to fully integrate physical education, sports and yoga into our education system then only we will reap the fruits of the benefits from NEP 2020.