Finnish National Board of Education evaluated the learning outcomes of comprehensive school 9th graders in physical education. Attitudes towards the subject were very positive among pupils. Yet, one fifth of them were categorised as couch potatoes for whom the only regular form of exercise was physical education at school.

Finnish National Board of Education evaluated the learning outcomes of comprehensive school 9th graders in physical education. Attitudes towards the subject were very positive among pupils. Yet, one fifth of them were categorised as couch potatoes for whom the only regular form of exercise was physical education at school.

The evaluation outcomes show that the situation in physical education in Finland is both good and bad.

Pupils have very positive attitudes towards physical education at school and the majority of young people get enough exercise. First and foremost, they actively participate in organised physical activities.

However, one fifth of pupils are very passive in physical terms. Since research shows that the level of physical activity decreases as people grow up, special attention should be dedicated to the most passive 20%. This requires consideration both in terms of physical education and leisure-time exercise. Also the outcome that pupils with good test indexes received higher grades in theoretical subjects is worth of notice.

Evaluation results (pdf)

Tuulamarja Huisman | Finnish National Board of Education |