Status of Teaching Physical Education Course in the First Three Grades of Elementary Schools of Iran

Physical education (PE) plays a critical role in educating the whole student. Research supports the importance of movement in educating both mind and body. PE contributes directly to development of physical competence and fitness. The benefits of PE can affect both academic learning and physical activity patterns of students. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to describe the status of teaching and conduct of PE course in the first three grades of elementary schools of Iran. The samples of this research included 796 men, 325 women PE teachers’, plus 691 men, and 500 women principals (Superintendent). They were randomly selected from the schools of fifteen different provinces within the five various regions according to their geographical locations. All participants completed researcher designed questionnaires containing questions rating a wide range of contexts for the purpose of evaluating physical education course in elementary schools including the curriculum, the academic degree of teachers, sport equipment and places, finance, community, and school policies and ethos. The result showed that the majority of teachers and principals had diploma or two years college degree; about 70 % of teachers were not specialist in physical education. The majority o