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Government clarifies PE targets | |
(about 1 hour later) | |
The Scottish Government has been forced to clarify its physical exercise targets for pupils, in the wake of comments by its schools minister. | |
Maureen Watt told BBC Scotland plans for two hours' activity per week could include non-curricular activities, such as walking to school. | |
The government later said it was committed to two hours of PE and extra opportunities, outside the school day. | |
The Liberal Democrats said the policy was "all over the place". | |
Outlining the government's vision on BBC Radio Scotland's Scotland at Ten programme on Tuesday, Ms Watt said: "What we're saying is we're going to make sure that children have two hours of good physical exercise every week. | |
She added: "That could involve walking to school." | |
The minister insisted: "We're making sure children have good physical exercise. It involves using the whole school day to make sure children get two hours of physical education." | The minister insisted: "We're making sure children have good physical exercise. It involves using the whole school day to make sure children get two hours of physical education." |
In a statement on Wednesday, the government said it was committed to a minimum of two hours, quality PE being offered by schools as part of the curriculum. | |
It went on: "In addition to this, physical activity and sport will offer extra opportunities to children outwith these two hours during break times and lunchtimes and beyond the school day." | |
Lib Dem health spokesman Ross Finnie said: "The SNP is all over the place on physical exercise targets for children. | |
"There is confusion as to how it fits into the SNP's stated aim not to be prescriptive about how long schools spend on any particular subject." | "There is confusion as to how it fits into the SNP's stated aim not to be prescriptive about how long schools spend on any particular subject." |
Ms Watt also refused to say whether the SNP manifesto pledge to ensure every pupil had two hours of quality PE each week - carried out by specialist PE teachers - would be delivered in full. |