Most pupils fail to get recommended PE time

ONLY a third of primary school pupils and just 10% of post-primary pupils are receiving the recommended amount of time for physical education every week, a major study has revealed.

The Irish Sports Council study — which uncovered alarming levels of inactivity among 10 to 18-year-olds — goes on to reveal one in four children are unfit, overweight or obese and have high blood pressure.

The Department of Education recommends that post-primary students should have two hours of physical education a week, while primary school children should have one hour.