The new interim director of Memorial University's School of Human Kinetics and Recreation is applauding the provincial government for pumping $1.4 million into new physical education equipment this fall to help get more kids active. Dr. David Dibbon also praised government's new mandatory physical education courses for kindergarten to Grade 9 students. High school students also need to complete two credits in either physical education or the healthy living course between Grades 10-12 in order to graduate.

As a former high school physical education teacher and principal who spent 21 years in the public school system, Dr. Dibbon knows all too well the challenges phys ed teachers have faced over the years, including outdated equipment and inadequate gymnasium space.

“The increased funding will provide physical education teachers with more tools to accomplish their goals and in so doing it will help them better achieve course outcomes and school goals,” said Dr. Dibbon, who is also the associate dean of undergraduate programs in the Faculty of Education. “I think this represents the recognition of something that physical educators have known for years - that physical education is an important link to improving the health and fitness levels of our youth and our society in general.”

The $1.4 million in funding will go directly to schools to purchase the equipment they need. In a news release earlier this week, government said the money was allocated in this year's budget as part of its new high school physical education programming.

Dr. Dibbon said the provincial funding will help teachers implement better classes, but he was also quick to point out that proper leadership is essential to curbing this province's trend of producing some of the most overweight people in Canada.

“I am certain that the funding and the new equipment will help, but if students are to become more active it will be due mainly to the leadership provided by teachers,” he said. “One way that a physical educator can lead this initiative is to be a role model and to demonstrate the virtues of living a balanced and healthy lifestyle themselves.”

Active lifestyles also need to be fostered at home, said Dr. Dibbon. He said parents need to do their part to get kids off the couch and exercising more. “Just as it is important to read to children to help develop literacy, it is equally as important to be active role models for your children,” he said. “When your children see you having fun and living an active lifestyle typically they will also want to be active.”

Education minister Tom Hedderson said his department is committed to improving physical education opportunities in schools.

Thanks to this year's funding, he said some schools may decide to purchase traditional equipment such as basketballs or volleyballs but there is now an opportunity to give students more choices to encourage them to get active. “Schools can purchase any number of physical education materials. Maybe they are interested in cross-country skis or snowshoes,” Minister Hedderson said in a news release. “They may prefer GPSs or compasses. One school might buy a commercial rower, while another may opt for a spinner bike. We want our students and teachers to be active, and we are providing them the means to do so.”

Meanwhile, Dr. Dibbon said he is encouraged the provincial government is re-examining its physical education curriculum - the first time since the 1980s. “It was long overdue,” he said. He hopes the new curriculum and equipment will “appeal to a broad range of students and that students will have more input into determining the types of activities that they participate in.

“Hopefully this increased funding represents the beginning of an ongoing commitment to properly resource the physical education curriculum in our schools and provide state-of-the-art exercise equipment for students which they can also access at times when they are not in class,” added Dr. Dibbon. “I think this signifies that we are headed in the right direction.”