62 Govt schools in Erode train without PETs

erode: sports and physical development remain out of reach for thousands of students in erode district, where 62 government high and higher secondary schools currently function without physical education teachers.according to official data, of the 76 government high schools in the district, 51 lack physical education instructors. similarly, 11 out of 113 higher secondary schools have no teachers assigned for physical training. unlike academic subjects, where temporary teachers are occasionally appointed through school management committees, physical education posts remain vacant, and no alternative arrangements have been made.experts emphasise the importance of regular exercise and sports in enhancing both physical and mental well-being in school-going children. however, the absence of qualified staff to train, identify, and guide students in sports has left many aspiring athletes without support. the situation is further worsened by the lack of playgrounds in several schools.suresh, district president of the physical education teachers and directors association, attributed the vacancies to prolonged delays in recruitment. “there have been no appointments for several years, and temporary teachers are also not being hired. meanwhile, vacancies continue to rise due to retirements and transfers,” he said.he added that current norms stipulate appointments only when a school meets a minimum student strength. “the government must rethink this approach if we are to ensure holistic education for all,” he added.while the tamil nadu government conducts annual school-level sports meets, stakeholders question the effectiveness of these initiatives in the absence of basic infrastructure and trained personnel in many government institutions.