Minister announces new position dedicated to physical education

Education Minister Judy Foote has announced the creation of a program development specialist position within the Department of Education dedicated solely to the physical education curriculum.

"The new program development specialist for physical education will work closely with school district personnel towards the continued development and implementation of a new K-12 physical education curriculum," Minister Foote said. "The specialist will provide leadership in the area of physical education programming and act as a liaison with other stakeholders to promote and encourage a healthy and active lifestyle."

A departmental position dedicated to the physical education curriculum in the province continues a process to link many aspects of students� daily activities to encourage them to be healthier people, the minister said.

"Educating our students brings with it a responsibility to ensure that while they are in the classroom, they are taught the benefits which come from leading healthy lives, including good nutrition habits and physical activity," Minister Foote said. "Adopting healthy eating habits and an energetic lifestyle at an early age, and understanding the life-long benefits, will encourage the development of a healthier, more active adult population."

The creation of this position within the department is the latest government initiative to support the overall wellness of the province�s population. The Department of Education has also partnered with the departments of Health and Community Services and Tourism, Culture and Recreation to support the province�s physical activity strategy entitled: Regaining Our Health.

This strategy includes a detailed action plan which aims to increase physical activity by 10 per cent by 2003. People who are inactive have higher incidences of heart disease, obesity, high blood pressure, certain types of cancer and Type II diabetes.

The program development specialist for physical education will begin work on September 1, 2002. Details on applying for this job are available in the advertisement in this weekend�s edition of The Telegram and on the Department of Education web site at www.gov.nl.ca.

Media contact: Catherina Kennedy, Communications, (709) 729-0048.

2002 07 05                               10:00 a.m.