A story in this paper should be trigger for introspection and change for schools when it comes to Physical Training (PT) or Physical Education (PE) as it is called. The Central Government has a new initiative called 'Fit India' for schools. Schools in the state have been asked to observe National Sports Day tomorrow - August 29. Students and teachers have been asked to take a pledge for fitness. Quite rightly though, this initiative sterling though it may sound, rings hollow.

The reasons are several but it begins with PT or PE being at the bottom of the pecking order in schools. This may not apply to every school, but by and large, PT teachers are not accorded the same status as other teachers in the school. This internal attitude then percolates down to the students. Students view PT class as a chore, or a joke. Some of them cut PT class. Even within the staffers, PT is looked on as a 'lesser important' subject in the academic curriculum. Parents often tell their children to concentrate on studies and less on PT or games.