Jaipur: The Rajasthan government has issued new instructions making a daily sports period mandatory in all government primary schools across the state, aiming to strengthen physical fitness, discipline, and holistic development among young students.
According to directions issued by the School Education Department, every government primary school will now include a dedicated physical activity or sports period in its daily timetable, which must be strictly followed by school authorities.
Focus on holistic development
Officials said the decision has been taken to ensure that children receive balanced education that includes both academics and physical development. The initiative is expected to help students:
Improve physical health and stamina
Develop teamwork and leadership skills
Reduce stress and increase concentration in studies
Build interest in sports from an early age
The department has emphasized that schools must not treat the sports period as optional and must ensure its regular implementation without disruption.
Implementation in schools
Under the new guidelines:
All government primary schools must allocate time daily for sports or physical activities
Teachers will be responsible for ensuring student participation
Activities may include basic exercises, (games), yoga, and outdoor activities depending on available facilities
School heads will monitor compliance and include it in routine reporting
Government’s education push
The move is part of broader reforms by the state to improve learning outcomes and student well-being in primary education. The government has been focusing on integrating co-curricular activities, life skills, and health-based learning into the school system.
Education officials stated that early exposure to physical activity will also help identify and nurture sports talent at the grassroots level.
Background
The decision aligns with ongoing efforts by the Rajasthan government to strengthen school education and promote healthy lifestyles among children. The directive has been implemented through the Rajasthan Education Department, which oversees school-level policy execution across the state.
