A Necessity in Today’s Time: Physical Education in Oman

Document Type : Original Article

Author

College of Education, Sultan Qaboos University, Oman

10.18576/ijlms/020102

Abstract

Until the early 1990s, the physical education practice in Oman was preserved by gender and
class. With the initiation of the Teacher Training Program in 1993, physical education practices in Oman
started to spread and moved from a content-based course to an outcome-based course. This curriculum,
however, is still undergoing changes to merge the old physical practices with the modern practices as to
provide students with a wider perspective on physical education and its utilization in better life care.
Scientific studies have shown physical education practices to be one of the critical reasons for preventing
and treating various health issues such as diabetes, obesity, blood pressure, cancer and metabolic
syndromes. This article critically reviews the history and progress of physical education programs in
Oman along with providing unique curricula models which focus on the importance of fitness, sport
education, teaching programs and increased physical activity opportunities for children. Last but not the
least, major initiatives and future directives by the Oman Physical Education Curriculum are discussed.
The aim of the paper thus is not just to reflect on the path of physical education in Oman but also to draw
a map for its future.

Keywords