The Department of Basic Education (DBE) and the Physical Education Institute of South Africa (PEISA) in partnership with the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) held a two-day 2nd Annual Physical Education Symposium on 01 – 02 April 2016 so as to develop an action plan for ensuring greater access to Physical Education in South African schools.
The annual symposia are central to a series of established Physical Education advocacy and sector mobilisation campaigns, held as part of the DBE - PEISA annual calendar, including being an integral part of the national Physical Education Month and Physical Education Day celebrations; observed annually from the 6th of April - 10th of May. The symposia serve as a platform for stakeholders who include educators, researchers, content developers, institutions of higher learning, Basic Education and Sport and Recreation partners, officials and other interest groups, to debate, share and advance the interests of Physical Education.
Mr Norman Mphake, the Founding Director of PEISA believes that “Social change requires broad cross-sector coordination and that powerful collaboration can have a positive impact on the lives of children. These constant engagements and meaningful collaborations with our stakeholders are one of many other efforts we can take to ensure access to quality Physical Education and contribute towards a healthy and active society. Most importantly we have to act and ensure implementation of all collective decisions taken during these engagements.”
The 2016 symposium focused on giving feedback from the 1st symposium held in 2015, identifying areas of success and finding ways to build more meaningful collaborations which led to the decision to establish a “Centre for Physical Education” within which relevant organisations will have to be affiliates of PEISA to be able to implement their Physical Education programmes accordingly.
In observing and celebrating Physical Education Month during the predetermined dates, 6th April – 10th May, all schools including Early Childhood Development (ECD) Centres, have been encouraged to participate in curriculum orientated physical activities. The annual Physical Education Month programme was developed and distributed to all relevant stakeholders.
The annual Physical Education Day celebrations will be observed on the 10th of May with the related activities centred around the #AnythingActiveMinute campaign and the 2 minute star jump challenge.
For further information kindly contact the following officials:
Department of Basic Education
Bongani Zondi
Tel: +27 (0) 12 357 3447
Mobile: +27 (0) 82 968 4139
Email: Zondi.B@dbe.gov.za
Physical Education Institute of South Africa
Norman Mphake
Tel: +27 (0) 11 316 4740
Mobile: +27 (0) 73 211 7197
Email: norman@peisa.co.za
Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ)
Lebo Tlomatsane
Phone: +27 (0) 12 423 6344
E-mail: lebogang.tlomatsane@giz.de