Three out of four primary school teachers think children’s physical activity is declining, research suggests.
Half of 500 teachers surveyed said they believe fewer than one in two children in their class could run a mile.
The Daily Mile, a charity which encourages school children to run the equivalent of a mile every day, said its study found most primary school teachers do not think pupils in their class are active enough.
Most respondents said children actively avoid being physically active during break times, which they believe is having a direct impact on youngsters’ health and development.
Elaine Wyllie, a former headteacher of St Ninians Primary School in Stirling and founder of the Daily Mile, said: “Children’s physical fitness is paramount to both health and academic outcomes.
“The proven success of the Daily Mile makes it clear that building healthy habits for life can be affordable, inclusive and simple.”
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here