Shona Robison, Minister for Public Health and Sport

www.engageforeducation.org 26/08/2010

As Minister for Public Health and Sport I am particularly keen that we use the 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow as a catalyst to greatly improve the health of our Nation and get more people active.

We know that taking part in physical activity and sport improves people’s health, but we also know that it builds confidence, develops new skills, brings individuals and communities together and, above all, is fun.

I recently visited Perth Grammar School, which won the Getting Scotland Active Award at the 2010 Scottish Education Awards, to see for myself their approach to physical education, physical activity and sport. 

I was very impressed by what I saw and heard.  In particular, the range of activities on offer to complement timetabled PE and how pupils have become role models by regularly taking part in physical activity and sport.  I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate everyone in the Perth Grammar School community on their inspirational and highly successful approach.

I firmly believe that providing 2 hours of quality PE for every school pupil can help to embed a lifetime commitment to physical activity which leads to developing a healthier lifestyle.  That is why the SNP Government is strongly committed to help Scottish schoolchildren develop the habit of physical fitness by ensuring that every pupil has 2 hours of quality PE each week delivered by specialist PE teachers. 

We know that there are lots of schools and local authorities who have made progress and are delivering 2 hours physical education but we still have some way to go to ensure that this is available to all children and young people. 

Curriculum for Excellence is currently being introduced into all of our schools and will embed at least 2 hours quality PE in the curriculum for every child every week in addition to physical activity and sport.

Strong leadership is already delivering 2 hours physical education for every child each week in many of our schools.  I challenge leaders in local authorities and schools to make this commitment a reality for all children and young people in Scotland.   They deserve nothing less.