Essay 211 – Should physical education classes be mandatory or optional?

GT Writing Task 2 / Essay Sample # 211

You should spend about 40 minutes on this task.

Write about the following topic:

Most schools offer some type of physical education programme to their students. Why is physical education important? Should physical education classes be mandatory or optional?

Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience.

Write at least 250 words.

Model Answer:

Many studies have demonstrated the significance of physical activities for students in a school environment. Thus, most schools provide pupils with some kind of physical education and activities. I believe that this practice proves to be immensely important but physical education classes ought to be optional for students.

There are many cogent reasons why physical education is of profound importance in schools. First and foremost, pupils who participate in sports are better able to maintain focus and concentration, which has a huge impact on their academic life. In fact, this can result in improved accomplishment in all other academic subjects. Second, a regular workout is vital to combat obesity. We all know that many health issues are associated with overweight and it is important to maintain an active lifestyle. Besides, exercise habits that are developed in childhood and adolescence will likely remain into adulthood. Last but not least, doing sports in groups helps students develop their teamwork and leadership skills.

Despite the considerable importance of physical education, I think that it should not be compulsory. This is because the physical education course consists of fitness training, games and sports that could potentially inflict severe injury. In addition to this, pupils who do not possess athletic ability may not develop the competencies necessary to compete against better athletes. This, in turn, can lead to serious inferior complexity. Apart from this, bullying is another common phenomenon that is seen during physical education classes. That is to say that strong students have a high chance to pick on the weak students during physical education classes. Most importantly, mandatory physical education classes restrict a pupil’s freedom to choose where he or she wants to invest his or her time.

To recapitulate, notwithstanding the extensive importance of physical education, I still believe that it ought to be optional as it could lead to serious injury, inferior complex, and limit freedom.