The Ministry for Education, Sport, Youth, Research and Innovation is aware of the importance of the impact that sports and physical activity have on a healthy life, and that sport it is a lifelong process that must start as early as possible. That is why he is working so that physical activity in schools is more frequent and given the importance it deserves.
“Currently the number of physical education lessons in Maltese schools varies. In the election manifesto we promised to increase the time and establish the minimum number of physical education lessons. We want to move towards a model where children have one session of physical activity a day,” said Minister Clifton Grima.
A study and research carried out by the Maltese College of Arts, Science and Technology which was commissioned by the Malta Football Association led to the launch today of the pilot project in three schools ‘Fun Fit Five’. Through this project, a daily physical activity session will begin in these schools. Afterwards, information is collected through which the impact of how a daily physical activity session affects the student’s academic, physical performance and well-being is analysed. The aim is to eventually introduce a daily physical activity session with fourth year students in primary schools.
“I am enjoying that for this pilot project the social partners who have an interest in education and sport in children are collaborating together for the good of our students,” said Minister Clifton Grima.
Dr. Angelo Chetcuti, Secretary General of the Malta Football Association said, “Beyond the attention and publicity given to competitive football, the Malta Football Association is strengthening its commitment to be a spur to shape a sporting culture from a young age, which is the basis for development at every level of the sport. This is central to the strategy of the Malta FA. The launch of this research called Fun Fit Five, which will be carried out by MCAST over a period of time, is an important link in this commitment to encourage our children to do physical activity, an initiative which is possible thanks to the resources of the Malta FA which are brought by UEFA which incentivizes such programs”.
Dr. Chetcuti said that, “Research is a very important component to continue making progress, and I am convinced that this study will help to design better physical activity programs for children in schools while consolidating the existing ones”.
This educational initiative complements the Fun Fit Football project, launched by the I Love Football Foundation during the past season in the primary schools of Malta and Gozo. Around 17,000 children took part in the Fun Fit Football sessions which from this season will also be offered in church and private schools. “We hope that this is just the beginning of greater coverage that will reach more children,” said Dr. Chetcuti.
The Chief Executive and Principal of MCAST Professor Joachim James Calleja said, “It is gratifying to see MCAST lecturers from the Institute of Community Services carrying out research in the field of physical activity. There is a need for this study to help the educational sector to understand the challenges and benefits and to improve the quality of students’ lives. The college will continue to provide support to strengthen applied research also in the field of sport”.
