WHO INFORMATION SERIES ON SCHOOL HEALTH ... - PAHO/WHO

5.1 Supportive school policies
Promoting Physical Activity in Schools
School health policies are brief documents that set out a clear set of school standards for practices and
conditions in the school building, surroundings and events. They are an essential component of a Health-
Promoting School. Once developed, they should be communicated to those who are expected to follow
the policy; training should be provided, if necessary, to ensure that persons who are expected to follow the
policy are capable of doing so; and they should be enforced. Policies also should take into account local
factors and recourses, and importantly, should be developed with input from those people who will be
affected by the policy.
The following list is a range of actions or qualities that might be supported through policy to improve physical
activity in the school.
• The school follows a specifically defined set of standards or protocols to ensure that physical activity
is safe, convenient and appropriate for different ages, gender and abilities.
• Quality and quantity of physical education is increased, monitored and receives equal attention as
other subjects.
• Planned and sequential physical education curricula enable students to acquire knowledge about
the health benefits of physical activity, and develop and practise motor skills as well as strength,
flexibility, endurance and coordination.
• Teachers, parents, students and all other relevant school personnel are involved in the planning,
development and review of physical activity policies and programmes.
• The school health team meets periodically to review, develop and coordinate related to physical
activity promotion efforts between the school and community.
• Teachers and other school personnel receive systematic and ongoing training in the benefits of
physical activity.
• Physical education, recess, extracurricular activity and community sports and recreation programmes
are made accessible to all students irrespective of their sex, age, ethnicity, health status, or physical
or cognitive ability or disability, and meet their special needs and interests.
• The school’s actions to provide opportunities for physical activity recognise that enjoyment is one of
the most important factors for a child to participate in physical activity.
• The school’s actions to promote physical activity recognise that many children require motivation to
increase their level of physical activity.
• Individual school policies on physical activity are consistent with the national or other professional
standards for physical education (12).
• Minimising physical activity-related injuries and illnesses among young people is recognised as a
joint responsibility of teachers, school administrators, community members and parents.
• In collaboration with communities, the school personnel makes school space and facilities available
for physical activity before and after school hours.
WHO Information Series on School Health 16