Chennai: The Tamil Nadu government has made physical education classes compulsory for all students from Classes 6 to 12 in government, aided and private schools across the state from the current academic year.

The School Education Department has issued detailed guidelines directing schools to conduct physical education periods regularly and ensure effective implementation of sports and fitness activities.

A senior department official said the move follows complaints that several private schools had failed to conduct physical education classes during the previous academic year and instead utilised the allotted periods for academic coaching and special classes.

To ensure compliance, district physical education inspectors have been instructed to identify schools where playgrounds remain unused and submit reports to the department.

The guidelines also mandate schools to encourage sports participation beyond regular class hours by providing specialised coaching and training to students interested in various disciplines.

Officials have further been directed to identify and document schools that have produced notable performances in state- and national-level sports competitions, with a view to promoting best practices and strengthening sports culture in educational institutions.

The government believes that regular physical activity and organised sports play a crucial role in students' physical fitness, mental well-being, discipline and overall development.

The latest directive is part of efforts to strengthen sports infrastructure and increase student participation in athletics and other sporting disciplines across schools in Tamil Nadu.

Education department officials said the implementation of the guidelines would be monitored by district authorities to ensure that physical education periods are not diverted for other academic purposes.