Rationale for why PDHPE should be taught in primary schools

1. It is important to teach children about the roles they have in their
own safety, personal health choices and interpersonal relationships
at an early stage; in order to prepare them for their futures. This is
why Personal Development,
Health and Physical Education
(PDHPE) becomes a
fundamental KLA to teach to
primary students.
Why is PDHPE important?

2. SafetyPDHPE “formulates and practises action plans for accident and emergency
situations in the home, school and local environment” which will prepare
the children for certain events that may occur in their future.
It is important that children are aware of the dangers that surround them and
how they can be manage these situations if ever placed in them, and this is
what children learn during PDH

3. Personal health choices
It is important that children understand the consequences that surround
personal life choices; in order for them to choose the appropriate lifestyle.
PDHPE reinforces positive attitudes towards a healthy, active lifestyle.

4. Interpersonal relationships
PDHPE informs children of the “responsibilities in developing and
maintaining positive relationships”.
It is important to teach children at a younger age the importance of
having personal beliefs and values but also that they should respect
the beliefs of others as well.
PDHPE informs students of this by showing students the different ways
of communicating, sharing, and the different types of discrimination
other students are faced with.

5. Physical activity
PDHPE promotes physical activity which in response helps control obesity,
reduce the risk of heart diseases and helps children to develop
communicating skills with team members.