Physical Education and Health in Singapore Schools

Abstract

As a school subject, physical education (PE) in Singapore took on its own shape with the introduction of a conceptual games teaching approach in response to the national government's ‘Thinking Schools, Learning Nation’ policy of the late 1990s. With the recent media attention on hosting two main international events (Asian Youth Games and the inaugural Youth Olympic Games), aspects of PE as a school subject have been scrutinised. Particularly, the isolation of physical fitness training and testing from a sound pedagogical base has undergone review. Hence, school-level developments that either prioritise physical activity within a holistic health framework or promote positive social values through Olympic education, as well as the introduction an O-level examinable subject have broadened the possibilities for the subject. Drawing on local empirical evidence, this paper examines Singapore PE against regional and global events that have marked its development.