Incongruences in the scheduling of Physical Education classes

Rational management of educational resources is an essential factor to make schools more efficient and organized. A structured planning of teaching activities and an orderly use of school sports facilities can contribute to better results in the fulfilment of the Physical Education curriculum. The objective of this study was to analyse the criteria that influence the planning and organization of school schedules regarding Physical Education (PE) and sport activities in public schools. An analysis of the teaching schedule documentation and a structured interview were carried out with six teachers responsible for the teaching schedule teams from six public schools. The criteria indicated by the teachers that influence the organization of teaching schedules were: placing the schedules of Physical Education classes in a shift that is contrary to the regular schedule; personal requests and preferences of teachers for teaching schedules and classes, especially from older teachers; the nonplacement of class time during the students' lunch break, although some schools fail to respect this criterion; and insufficient sports facilities for PE classes. Contrary to what some teachers claim, the results highlighted a positive ratio between the available sports facilities and the needs of PE classes, opposing the idea that public schools do not have enough sports facilities for their PE classes. In this study, inconsistencies and conflicts of interest were identified to explain the analysed criteria. The results of this study suggest the introduction of more rational and good governance practices in the administration and decision-making regarding the criteria and adequacy of the planning of PE schedules and of school sports activities.