Gujarat public schools to get equipment kits for 18 different sports

Government schools in Gujarat will now receive over 900 sets of equipment for 18 different sports to promote sports in the state. Students from Classes 1 to 12 will benefit from these distributions.

However, since many schools lack physical education (PT) teachers, questions have been raised about how students will utilise these equipment sets effectively without proper guidance.

The Gujarat School Education Council, under the Gujarat Education Department, has approved the distribution, and a circular has been issued to District Project Officers and District Project Coordinators.

According to the circular, for Classes 1-5, schools with up to 100 students should have at least 13 pieces of equipment.

Schools with 101 to 300 students should receive 30 pieces of equipment.

Schools with more than 300 students should receive 28 pieces of equipment.

For Classes 1-8, schools with 300 enrolled students should have 49 pieces of equipment.

For Classes 6-8, 30 pieces should be provided, and for Classes 6-10, 78 pieces are to be given.

Classes 9-12 will receive 77 pieces of equipment.

For PM SHRI schools of Gujarat:

Classes 1-5 will receive 155 pieces of equipment.

Classes 1-8 will receive 123 pieces.

Classes 6-10 will receive 116 pieces.

Classes 1-12 will receive 118 pieces.

Different kits and categories have been decided, including carrom boards, wooden bats, badminton rackets, footballs, volleyballs, handballs, rubber shot puts, chess sets, cricket stumps, tennis balls, and stopwatches.

While the initiative aims to strengthen sports infrastructure in schools, the lack of PT teachers remains a concern. 

Recruitment for PT teachers has been pending for years in Gujarat, and without trainers, experts question how students will be able to excel in sports even if equipment is provided.