Madurai: Expressing concern over the state govt placing a cap on engaging physical education teachers (PET) in schools, Madras high court directed the state to file a report on the policy regarding having physical education teachers in all schools and the reason for the restriction.

Justice P T Asha observed that it is rather surprising and a cause for concern that the govt has placed a cap on engaging physical education teachers by stating that only if there are a minimum of 250 students in a school, the post of a physical education teacher will be sanctioned.

“Today, we are faced with children who are couch potatoes and playing online games, affecting not only their physical but also their mental state. Further, child diabetes, depression, etc., is on the rise. An active body is required to have an active mind,” the judge observed.

The judge added that it is brought to the notice of the court that the syllabus given to the schools indicates two periods a day for physical and health education. That being the case, the restriction placed by the govt appears incongruous. Therefore, the decision of the school education department is rather strange because, without physical education, the overall development of a child would be seriously impeded.

Hence, the judge directed the state to file a report.

Taking into account that the Supreme Court is seized of similar cases where reports have been called for from various states and Tamil Nadu also submitted a report, the judge asked the petitioner’s counsel to try and produce the report.

The court passed the order while hearing a batch of petitions filed by schools challenging the order passed by the authorities denying permission for the appointment of PE teachers.