I AGREE with Ms Koh Hui Ling ('Make room in PE for kids to enjoy games as well', April 3) that physical education (PE) should be enjoyable for pupils. This could be done by getting them to learn and take part in a variety of physical activities, including sports and games.

We encourage schools to adopt a balanced selection of activities in planning an effective PE programme. This includes physical activities such as athletics, dance and significantly, games. While the PE programme is aimed at developing pupils' motor and games skills, physical fitness remains a key objective, and pupils are tested annually as a gauge of their fitness. Conditioning helps minimise physical injuries, but a judicious balance of conditioning drills and other physical activities is essential to achieving the goals of the PE programme.

MOE will continue to support schools and work with teachers to achieve the goals of the PE programme.

Ho Peng (Ms)
Director, Curriculum Planning and Development Division,
Ministry of Education

This article was first published in The Straits Times on Apr 15, 2007.