Calls have been mounting to introduce physical education for girls at public schools and colleges across the Kingdom in order to improve their health and enhance their intellectual and emotional capabilities.

Suleiman Al-Nusian, director general of teachers’ affairs at the Ministry of Education, emphasized the importance of physical education (PE) for girls but pointed out that a royal decree is required to include PE in the curriculum.

There is a lack of female PE teachers in the Kingdom to provide the much-required physical education.

“We have so many jobs for female PE teachers but there are no takers,” Al-Nusian said in comments published Thursday.

Abeer Alabdaly, a teacher at Future Experts, called on the Education Ministry to speed up introduction of PE in public schools.

“I think our educational authorities have not given PE its due importance. PE is essential for the intellectual and emotional development of children,” she told Arab News.

She said PE should start from kindergarten and it could be used for teaching subjects like science and math. “This will make learning interesting and entertaining for children.”

Alabdaly emphasized that PE is essential to reduce the growing health problem of obesity in the Kingdom. “PE helps children to release their energy and burn calories. It is also essential for the healthy growth of brain, it strengthens muscles and makes children energetic.”

Obesity is a major cause of concern for the Kingdom with seven out of 10 Saudis suffering from the problem while 37 percent of Saudi women are reportedly overweight.

Alabdaly, who is supervisor of mental arithmetic program, called for gradual introduction of PE at public schools and colleges.

“In the beginning, they may allow girls to play basketball and football in schools and conduct various sports competitions, before introducing PE in the curriculum. In the meantime, our universities should provide PE courses for women to enable them to become PE teachers in the future,” she said.