Quality Physical Education Policies and Practice: The Global State of Play

With the majority of countries around the world investing less than 2% of their education budgets into physical education, the well-being of our future generations is at risk. Quality physical education (QPE) can deliver broad physical, social, emotional, and academic benefits. However, QPE is often under-prioritized and poorly implemented, suffering from deficiencies in funding, inclusivity, allocated time, and well-trained staff. UNESCO’s sport flagship, Fit for Life, aims to address this by working with governments to develop quality PE policies and building the capacities of teachers and coaches to deliver inclusive lessons as part of a well-rounded curricula. UNESCO’s work in QPE is directly informed by data collected via a unique global survey, gathering insights on PE policy and provision. Key data highlights from the most recent survey demonstrate the urgent need to increase the status of this subject in our schools. This requires collective action to establish and implement standards, promote knowledge-sharing, and foster inclusive participation for all youth.