The Ministry of Education has pre-empted opposition to its recent decision to allow physical education (PE) to be taught at girls’ schools by replacing the sports curriculum with theoretical lessons about female health-related issues.

Sources at the ministry said that Education Minister Prince Khaled Al-Faisal has approved a book on health and physical education for boys and a book on health and female health education for girls.

Female officials in the education sector have said that the book is not related to sports per se, but addresses the importance of taking up sports to maintain public health.
The book addresses health concerns of women in particular.

The book has been approved by the ministry, but has not been circulated to educational administrations.

Staff will soon be trained on how to teach the new subject, which includes information on weight maintenance.

“Physical education has not been completely approved,” said Khaled Hammad, official spokesman of the Education Directorate in the Eastern Province. “The subject has, however, been approved for boys within the new semester-based system.”

Schools are expected to soon receive the lesson plans for high school students.