BUZZ BEAT MEDIA

Heeding President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.’s call for healthier and more active Filipinos, Education Secretary Sonny Angara has ordered the institutionalization of School Sports Clubs (SSCs) in all public elementary and secondary schools to promote learners’ holistic development, improve physical fitness, and help reverse pandemic-driven learning loss. 

Education Secretary Sonny Angara said the move is part of DepEd’s broader agenda to link health and academic recovery. 

“Kapag mas malusog ang katawan, mas malinaw ang isipan. Kapag mas aktibo ang mga bata, mas handa silang matuto at humabol sa anumang naiwang kaalaman noong pandemya,” Angara said. 

“Hindi lang ito tungkol sa paglalaro. Ito ay tungkol sa disiplina, teamwork, at tibay ng loob. Mga katangiang dapat bitbit ng mag-aaral hanggang sa tunay na buhay,” he added. 

DepEd cited data showing that Filipino children and adolescents fall short of the World Health Organization’s recommendation of at least 60 minutes of moderate to vigorous daily physical activity. The long sedentary hours in classrooms and the pandemic’s shift to remote learning have worsened inactivity, impacting both health and learning outcomes. 

The SSC program will complement the Physical Education curriculum by offering two to three hours of supervised sports activities each week. Arnis will be mandatory, with other sports offered based on student interest, available facilities, and resources. Unified sports—where learners with and without disabilities play together—will also be encouraged to promote inclusivity, strengthen friendships, and reduce incidents of bullying. 

Membership is voluntary and inclusive, with provisions for learners with disabilities and those in the Alternative Learning System. Existing sports clubs must align with the new policy, while schools without them are required to establish SSCs. 

Funding may come from the DepEd’s annual budget, Special Education Fund, school operating expenses, and partnerships with local government units, private organizations, and other stakeholders. 

Angara stressed that investing in school sports is investing in academic performance. 

“Sa bawat oras na ginugugol nila sa laro at ensayo, pinapalakas din natin ang kanilang konsentrasyon, memorya, at kakayahang magtagumpay sa klase,” he said. 

*All Photos from DepEd