Significant differences within VMBO in the attention given to PE lessons

This is the conclusion of the Mulier Institute in the report Lesson time for physical education in GL/TL highlighted, in which an additional analysis based on the first measurement was carried out on behalf of KVLO, the professional association for physical education teachers.

Based on 40 teaching weeks per year, the guideline recommends an average of 2.5 lesson hours per week for VMBO, 2.2 hours for HAVO and 2 hours for VWO. In general, the average lesson time per week in the VMBO GL/TL year groups is not lower than in HAVO and VWO, but the guideline is relatively more demanding for VMBO than for HAVO and VWO. At schools where little lesson time is scheduled for VMBO GL/TL, little lesson time is also scheduled for other VMBO tracks, HAVO and VWO.

When schools that do and do not meet the guideline for VMBO GL/TL are compared, it appears that schools that do not meet the guideline schedule less time on average for an individual physical education lesson, particularly in the lower years. With regard to the approach to physical education, schools that do not meet the guideline pay less attention to pupils with sporting talent and attach less importance to PE grades than schools that do meet the guideline. The assessment of the quality of physical education at their school location also differs between the two groups of department heads. A considerable proportion of department heads at schools that do not meet the guideline rate the total lesson time as poor/insufficient, and a majority would like to offer more physical education lessons. Further research is needed to determine whether, at comprehensive schools, the HAVO/VWO standard is also applied to VMBO GL/TL pupils. In consultation with the Ministry, this issue will be explicitly examined in the second measurement.

Click here for the report Lesson time for physical education in GL/TL highlighted; an additional analysis based on the first measurement of physical education and sport in secondary education.

Click here for the first measurement of physical education and sport in secondary education.

Click here for the factsheet with the main results.