Abstract
This research investigates Australian Government Primary School Principal perceptions of how health and physical education (HPE) is implemented. Principals of primary schools in the state of Victoria (Australia) were deliberately chosen as participants as they are key school leaders who have a high degree of autonomy and power to improve the quality of teaching. The Victorian state Government Department of Education and Early Childhood Development (DEECD) first listed outcome for children 0–8 years is: ‘children have the best start to life to achieve optimal health, development and wellbeing’. Hence, this research offers pertinent results and recommendations in achieving this outcome. The data were gathered using ex-post facto surveys completed by 138 principal participants from a cross section of schools. The key findings were that principals: (1) strongly desire to have specialist HPE teachers in their schools; and (2) want HPE specialist teachers who are interested in and want to be working with primary aged children. Furthermore, there was strong interest in HPE specialists who are able, willing and qualified to teach as generalist classroom teachers.
DOI
10.1016/j.ijer.2015.02.003
Publication Date
2016-02-21
Publication Title
International Journal of Educational Research
Volume
70
Publisher
Elsevier BV
ISSN
0883-0355
Embargo Period
2024-11-19
First Page
88
Last Page
100
Recommended Citation
Lynch, T. (2016) 'Health and physical education (HPE): Implementation in primary schools', International Journal of Educational Research, 70, pp. 88-100. Elsevier BV: Available at: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijer.2015.02.003
