'Few schools' hitting PE targets

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Fewer than one in five secondary schools and a third of primary schools are providing pupils with two hours of PE a week, according to new figures.

Statistics obtained by the Tories said 17% of secondary schools - 55 out of 329 - were hitting the target.

The result for primary schools stood at 35%, with pupils in 657 out of 1,866 primaries getting two hours a week.

First Minister Alex Salmond expressed confidence in a "dramatic improvement" next year in schools across Scotland.

The figures were compiled by the Tories, based on 30 of Scotland's 32 councils responding to Freedom of Information requests.

'Substantial progress'

The party used its findings to announce plans for a Sporting Trust body to boost sport in schools, with former Scotland rugby captain Gavin Hastings as an ambassador.

Hastings said: "The Scottish government has stated they want two hours of PE but that is clearly not happening. It's not too much to ask."

The target was set in 2004 by the last Scottish government, and reinforced by an SNP manifesto pledge to "ensure that every pupil has two hours of quality PE each week delivered by specialist PE teachers".

Mr Salmond said almost every local authority was making progress towards hitting the target, due to be met by 2011.

The first minister said: "We're making substantial progress and we're confident that, when we get to next year, we will find there's a dramatically improved performance the length and breadth of Scotland."