By Benjamin Akoto
Sunyani, Feb. 27, GNA – Mr Raphael Sylvanus Akoto, the Birim Central Municipal Director of the National Sports Authority of the Eastern Region, has advocated regular physical activities in Basic Schools to build and enhance the thinking faculties of school children.
That, he said, would thereby enhance the academic performance of pupils and students, he stated.
In an interview with the Ghana News Agency (GNA) in Sunyani, Mr Akoto expressed worry that many school children were academically dull.
They also faced challenges in learning processes, partly due to their inactiveness in the classroom, saying that was often exacerbated by the long hours they sat to learn.
Mr Akoto, also the President of “Chung Do Kwan Ghana Taekwondo” indicated that prolonged sitting for learning could hinder pupils and students from excelling academically, saying research revealed that physical activity remained essential in improving students’ academic performance.
“That greatly helps to tackle obesity and dullness too,” he stated, stressing that active physical activity positively impacts cognitive skills, attitudes and academic behaviours and thereby improves learning performance. Active physical activity and exercise aid in improving focus, concentration, attention, and classroom behaviours, he added.
Mr Akoto noted that some schools, both public and private, had cancelled sport and physical education from their curriculum, which was not auguring well for the growth of education in the country.
“They believe that longer hours of learning will lead to better academic performance, however, that is not the case because physical activity is integral for academic successes,” he added, highlighting the significant impact of active physical activity on pupil’s behaviour and brain development.
“Engaging in physical activity increases oxygen flow to the brain and thereby leads to heightened levels of brain neurotransmitters that support the survival of neurons, crucial for learning, memory, and higher cognitive functions,” Mr Akoto indicated.
He said: “Pupils and students who participate in physical activities always exhibit strong desire to attend school regularly”, he said, saying, “school sports appeal to children,
adolescents, and young adults alike.” Mr Akoto highlighted the benefits of sports and physical education, saying that it helped pupils and students to achieve academic success, fosters healthy bodies, sound minds, and thereby boosting their confidence, and whipping up their appetite and thirst for knowledge acquisition.
He therefore suggested the implementation of an hour of sports and physical education instruction regularly and at least three times every week to complement academic pursuits of pupils and students.
GNA