Physical education in elementary schools : a paper / read by A. Broman at the quarterly meeting of the Swedish Gymnastic Association, June 20th, 1891.

  • Broman, Allan.
Date:
[1891]
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Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Physical education in elementary schools : a paper / read by A. Broman at the quarterly meeting of the Swedish Gymnastic Association, June 20th, 1891. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    PUBLIC OPINION ROUSED. But by this dispute the attention of the general public was directed to the question, and we notice how soon the various Governments found it necessary to interfere, by thoroughly investigating the whole matter. In Saxony, Prussia, Elsass, Hesse, and other parts of Germany, commissions were formed for the study, from a hygienic stand-point, of the educational question. They all (with¬ out exception) recommended an abatement in the demands upon brainwork, and greater attention to the physical development of the pupils. A similar cry was heard from Italy, Switzerland and France. SWEDEN EARLY IN THE FIELD. In the Scandinavian countries, where the system of education in other respects is founded on the same principles as that of Germany, we find some differences, some tendency to improvements, especially in what concerns us here —the physical condition of the children. Similar committees were formed, as in the German States, to which we have just made reference, but they were twenty years ahead of the Germans. Physical exercises were here introduced, and regularly carried out in the schools long before a start in this direction was made by other countries. Especially has this been the case in Sweden, where, in the beginning of this century, a college was erected for the training of scientific Gymnastic Instructors. Shortly afterwards followed regulations for the schools, establishing systematic Gymnastic Exercises for the boys. Of course, this action met with resistance here, as elsewhere, and mostly from the educationalists themselves ; but, in spite of all, progress continued, and I speak only my firm conviction, when I say, that at the present time nowhere are Educational Gym¬ nastics better or more generally carried out than there. ENGLAND’S UNIQUE POSITION. Somewhat different is the position in England. The whole system of Education, as far as the management of the schools and the children are con¬ cerned, is quite dissimilar to that on the Continent. I need not dilate upon this, I will only point out that reference is here made to the large Public Schools, which, with their splendid situations, large open fields for practising the national sports, and their other arrangements, differ entirely from those of other countries. These advantageous conditions are not, however, apparent, when we turn to the Elementary Schools, with which we are chiefly concerned. These schools are founded, and the instruction in them is carried on under conditions which closely resemble those I have just mentioned. REFORM EASILY ACCOMPLISHED. But the prospects of reform here should be brighter than elsewhere, as there is firstly, the example of those Institutions to follow; and secondly, the love of the English people for out-door sports and games, is admittedly greater than that of any other people. If, therefore, the eyes of the British public are opened to discrepancies in the educational system in vogue in their schools, and particularly to faults in this direction, there is little doubt but that they will be speedily corrected. IS THE ENGLISH EDUCATIONAL SYSTEM PERFECT? The principal question to be answered, then, is ; Do such faults exist ? ” I will endeavour to express shortly some views upon the subject. The question may be most advantageously treated under the following heads. 1. —Is Physical Education necessary in our schools? 2. —-If so, what position should it occupv with regard to Mental Studies ? 3. —Under what form can Physical Education be introduced into the Schools ?