THE DEPARTMENT of Education (DepEd) will establish School Sports Clubs (SSC) 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.

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, while other sports will be 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 bullying.

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.