Fitness crisis: 95% students not physically active, reveals KAMS study
Bengaluru: A staggering 95% of school students are not engaging in physical activities, even during scheduled Physical Training (PT) periods, according to a recent study by the Associated Managements of Primary and Secondary Schools in Karnataka (KAMS).
The findings, cited by The New Indian Express on Saturday, raise serious concerns about the deteriorating health and fitness levels among school children in the state.
The study was conducted following a sharp increase in health issues reported among students, including fatigue, low blood pressure, and early symptoms of cardiac-related conditions. Based on years of observations across schools, KAMS attributes these issues to a growing sedentary lifestyle, poor diet, and a disturbing lack of physical engagement both at home and in school.
“Structured opportunities for exercise and cultural involvement are being ignored by students, with many showing complete disinterest in physical or extracurricular engagement. Alarmingly, this withdrawal is often enabled by parents, who routinely seek exemptions from PT classes, citing vague complaints such as body pain or fatigue,” a release by KAMS stated.
KAMS General Secretary Shashi Kumar, during school visits, has personally observed the lack of participation. “Even during my school visits, I ask teachers to check how many students do any physical activity, be it jogging, exercise, or yoga. In most schools, you won’t find even 1 to 2 percent of students doing it regularly,” TNIE quoted Shashi Kumar, General Secretary, KAMS, as saying.
The association emphasised that this trend is not limited to the school environment but is deeply rooted in home settings. Poor nutritional choices, especially high consumption of processed and junk food, coupled with the lack of participation in household responsibility and excessive screen time, are contributing to reduced stamina and deteriorating physical health.
KAMS also raised alarm over the health of female students, who are increasingly displaying symptoms of anemia, low endurance, and other signs of malnutrition and inactivity. While some attribute these issues to post-COVID conditions or environmental changes, the association opined that most are lifestyle-related and preventable.
Stay fit, Grow strong: KAMS' four-point action plan
To address this growing concern, KAMS has proposed the following steps:
* Parents must take responsibility for ensuring daily physical activity at home
* Schools should accept exemptions from PT only on medical grounds
* Health education must begin at home
* Screen time and food habits should be actively monitored and corrected
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Udhayanidhi accuses BJP of not releasing funds for TN
Gobichettipalayam (PTI): Tamil Nadu deputy chief minister Udhayanidhi Stalin on Saturday charged the BJP government at the Centre with not releasing funds to the state and accused it of "snatching" TN's rights.
Addressing a poll rally at Gobichettipalayam in the western Erode district, the DMK youth wing chief claimed the Centre has not released funds to the tune of Rs 3,000 crore for education.
"They (union government) have snatched all our rights," he charged.
With regard to the Centre's proposal for delimitation, he said chief minister M K Stalin was the first person in the country to raise the voice against the union government's move. He claimed that it was a "huge victory" for the INDIA alliance, as the bill was defeated for lack of majority after the opposition voted against it in the Lok Sabha.
Listing out various welfare measures implemented by the DMK government, he said the existing "Kalaignar Magalir Urimai Thogai" (monthly financial assistance for women) will be doubled to Rs 2,000 if DMK was voted to power again.
The deputy chief minister charged that the BJP and AIADMK have tried to stall it by moving the court. "At present more than 1.3 crore women have benefited from the scheme", he said.
"Similarly, the breakfast scheme for the government school students will be extended till Class VIII", he said adding "more than 35 lakh college students across the state will be getting free laptops once the DMK government is formed".
Udhayanidhi also pointed out at the "Illatharasi" poll promise, providing Rs 8,000 worth of coupons to non-income tax paying women where they could buy or replace any household appliances of their choice.
Elections to 234 Assembly seats in Tamil Nadu will be held on April 23 and the results declared on May 4 following counting of polled votes.
