A reduction in the PE teacher-student ratio in Kerala schools is unlikely to make a difference

General Education Minister N. Samsudheen

Kerala General Education Minister N. Samsudheen’s recent statement that the PE teacher-student ratio in government schools has been reduced from 1:500 to 1:300 is unlikely to make any difference in the current scenario as a large majority of institutions do not even have these posts.

According to sources, it has been a long time since new PE teachers were appointed in government schools. Only about 1,800 such teachers work in nearly 5,400 government and aided middle and high schools across the state, according to figures provided by physical education teachers’ organisations. Lower elementary schools, upper secondary schools and higher vocational schools do not have these places. The number of physical education teachers in government schools is not even half that of aided schools, data collected by organizations shows.

KV Devasya, former PE teacher, Government High School, Kanjirapally, Kottayam, points out that the appointment is based on the Kerala Education Rules made in 1960. However, more than 70% of schools currently do not have a PE teacher. UP schools will only get a seat if they have a total of more than 500 students. In secondary schools, these teachers can only be appointed if grades 8 and 9 have five or more departments. Although 10th grade students were given one period for physical education, due to KER provisions, this is not taken into account while creating seats. Mr. Devasya says there is a need to amend the KER rules to help create more posts for physical education teachers and appoint them based on vacancies.

K. Nabeel, general secretary of the Kerala Private Schools Physical Education Teachers Association, says the minister’s statement is only meant to protect the posts of existing employees. The state government recently set up a committee headed by Olympian PR Sreejesh to look into the problems in the school sports sector and suggest solutions. Mr Nabeel says the government’s policy on teacher-student ratio will be finalized only after the commission submits its recommendations.

Published – 01 Nov 2026 07:00 IST