In today’s society, where children face numerous challenges, physical activity is increasingly important for their growth and development. Physical education in schools plays a key role in shaping healthy habits in children, contributing to their physical, mental, and social well-being. However, the current physical education system in Serbia faces serious challenges, from lack of equipment to limited resources, preventing many students from accessing sports (Bjeković, 2005).
Benefits of Physical Education for Child Development
Through regular engagement in sports, children develop coordination, motor skills, and a positive attitude toward a healthy lifestyle. Sports also contribute to their mental health, reducing stress and boosting self-confidence, while fostering essential social skills such as teamwork and empathy (Miljanović Damjanović et al., 2019). These values are crucial during school years, as children shape attitudes and behaviors that will follow them into later life.
Current State of Physical Education in Serbian Schools
Unfortunately, many schools in Serbia lack suitable conditions for quality physical education. The absence of sports equipment and facilities in many institutions often hinders the delivery of quality physical education classes, resulting in limited opportunities for children to engage in sports within the school program. This deepens inequality, as only children who can afford additional activities have access to better sports facilities (Bjeković, 2005; Miljanović Damjanović et al., 2019).
How the Foundation Can Contribute to Improvement
One Team Foundation aims to contribute to more equitable access to sports for all children, regardless of socioeconomic status, through free sports classes. The foundation plans to provide not only instructors but also the necessary resources and equipment, allowing children to exercise regularly and adopt healthy habits. These programs would further encourage children’s confidence and team spirit, while guiding them towards a healthy lifestyle from an early age.
Conclusion: Broader Support is Needed
For physical education in schools to fulfill its role, broader support is needed from both government institutions and society as a whole. One Team Foundation’s initiative for free sports activities is an important step toward making sports accessible for all children, contributing not only to their physical health but also to shaping future generations who will appreciate and recognize the importance of physical activity. Sports are not just physical activities; they help children build character, gain self-confidence, and learn values that will stay with them throughout their lives. To achieve this, it is essential to invest in conditions that enable sports to become an everyday part of every student’s life in Serbia.
REFERENCES:
• Bjeković, G., Dragosavljević, P., & Bratovčić, V. (2005). Interactive Learning in Physical Education. Sport Mont, 8-9, 41-47.
• Miljanović Damjanović, V., Obradović Salčin, L., Zenić, N., Foretić, N., & Lipošek, S. (2019). Identifying predictors of changes in physical activity level in adolescence: A prospective analysis in Bosnia and Herzegovina. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 16(14), 2573. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph16142573e
