'Take swimming as seriously as math'

Juhu school cracks the whip on parents, students for skipping swimming, physical education

Juhu school cracks the whip on parents, students for skipping swimming, physical education

Fed up of listening to the excuses of common cold and bad weather for the empty swimming pool and poor attendance in physical education (PE) class, a Juhu school has issued a notice to reverse the trend of kids going from fit to fat.

A circular distributed by Jo Williams, head of primary education of the Ecole Mondiale World School, reads: "We have this fantastic facility that we should be using; swimming is part of the curriculum just like Math."

Finbarr O'Regan, school principal, said, "Parents cite excuses like cold and the bad weather, but being physically fit will improve their performance."

According to Kavita Sahay, director of Vibgyor High School, Goregaon, the lack of interest is sometimes the fault of parents.
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"In our school, a child is supposed to choose three sports activities out of 10. Parents force their children to opt for activities they are not interested in."

Doctor speaks

Physical activities are important, as there is a rise in diabetes and obesity-related problems among kids.

"An obese child tends to grow up into an obese adult, and obesity comes with a host of problems, including cardiovascular diseases and hypertension.

Ten per cent children in the top schools of Mumbai are overweight. It's a problem that only exercise can address," said Dr Indu Khosla, a paediatrician in Andheri.

The Other Side

A parent of a Std I student of u00c9cole Mondiale said that the notice was issued during the rains. "My child is sensitive to weather change. I realise exercise is important, and she will resume her class soon."

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