Schools can encourage children to exercise more and eat more healthily. But they cannot do this alone. Schools need the help of parents, as well as sports trainers, (community sports) coaches and other community organizations. Together, they serve as role models for young people.
Healthy schoolyards
A healthy schoolyard gives children and young people space to move and play in a challenging, green and smoke-free environment. The schoolyard is one of children's most popular places to play and can therefore make an important contribution to encouraging children to exercise more. Another characteristic of a healthy schoolyard is that children and young people can use it outside school hours.
Physical education
Schools provide physical education to get children moving. Many pupils receive two hours of gym class per week (as agreed in the Administrative Agreement), and some even receive three. Unfortunately, schools do not always have enough gym facilities available to provide physical education. That is why they also encourage exercise in other ways, for example during breaks in the schoolyard.
What does the PO Council do?
The PO Council wants to support schools in promoting a healthy lifestyle. The PO Council, VO Council and MBO Council therefore work together in the Healthy School programme, which helps schools work on health in a structured way.
In addition, the PO Council participated in the Education Agenda for Sport, Exercise and a Healthy Lifestyle. This resulted in a continuous learning pathway for a healthy lifestyle, along with corresponding teaching materials and advice on a pupil tracking system.
To reinforce its ambitions, the PO Council has also committed itself to various covenants and other agreements. It is involved with:
Want to know more?
Would you like more information about one of the topics of sport, exercise and a healthy lifestyle? Please contact policy adviser Anneke Risselada.