Upskilling India’s Physical Education Teachers: Aligning National Education Policy 2020 with UNESCO–Loughborough Quality Physical Education Priorities
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.60081/SSHA.3.2.2025.565-572Keywords:
Professional development, PE teacher, NEP 2020, UNESCO, Physical literacy, Teacher upskillingAbstract
As Part of the National Policy on Education 2020 and Quality Physical Education as defined by UNESCO and Loughborough University in 2024, this paper addresses the urgent need for upskilling Physical Education (PE) teachers in India. This paper attempts to analyze the systemic barriers in teachers’ preparation, professional devel- opment, and educational/ institutional framework of educational systems that impede the fulfillment of educational goals. The paper discusses the evolving expectations of PE teachers of the Indian Education System, under the National Policy, the PE teach- ers are expected to create literate individuals in the domain of physical activities, and as inclusive and holistic wellness advocates. Having researched on PE teachers satis- faction and professional development systems, the SMART teacher, the paper offers an assimilative solution system of upskilling teachers that satisfy the global QPE andthe Indian educational policy. The paper concludes that PE teachers are great assets to the educational systems due to great potential of delivering meaningful learning experiences that are both transformative and holistic. The paper further discusses the necessity of adequate institutional investment in the educational systems professional development, training and support systems that will positively impact the teachers and educational systems.
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