Lok Sabha Question No. 1934 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-07-27
Subject: Sports Infrastructure in Schools
Ministry: YOUTH AFFAIRS AND SPORTS
Asked by: DODDAALAHALLI KEMPEGOWDA SURESH

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF YOUTH AFFAIRS & SPORTS (DEPARTMENT OF SPORTS)

## LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1934

TO BE ANSWERED ON 27.07.2017

Sports Infrastructure in Schools

1934. SHRI D.K. SURESH:

Will the Minister of YOUTH AFFAIRS AND SPORTS be pleased to state:

- (a)  whether  the  Government  is  aware  that  games  and  sports  are considered  merely  to  fill  in  their  leisure  hours  in  the  schools  in  the country and if so, the reaction of the Government thereto;
- (b) whether the Government is aware that there are a large number of schools which do not have basic infrastructure for games and sports and if so, the details thereof;
- (c)  whether  the  Government proposes to make games and sports an integral part of our education system and if so, the details thereof; and
- (d) the steps taken/being taken by the Government to ensure that all the  schools  have  basic  infrastructure  for  games  and  sports  in  the country?

## THE MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE)

## ANSWER FOR YOUTH AFFAIRS AND SPORTS (SHRI VIJAY GOEL)

(a)  to  (d):  As  Sports  is  a  State  subject,  the  primary  responsibility  for promoting sports and creating adequate sports infrastructure, including  encouraging  sports  among  students,  at  schools  in  the country  is  that  of  States.    However,  Department  of  Sports  and  the Sports Authority of India supplement the efforts of the States. School Games Federation of India (SGFI) and Association of Indian Universities (AIU) have been recognized by the Government of India as National Sports Promotion Organizations (NSPOs) and are eligible for the  same  level  of  assistance  as  are  available  to  National  Sports Federations (NSFs).

Ministry of Human Resource Development has, inter-alia, intimated that as per the National Curriculum Framework (NCF), 2005, Health and Physical Education is a compulsory subject upto X Class (CBSE)  and  optional  subject  at  Higher  Secondary  Stage.  Health  and Physical Education includes age appropriate games  and sports including athletics, swimming and gymnastic. National Curriculum also focuses  that  to  transact  this  areas  effectively,  it  is  essential  that minimum  physical  space  and  equipment's  are  available  in  every school.

Further, the Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education (RTE)  Act,  2009,  has  been  enacted,  making  elementary  education  a Fundamental Right, which, inter alia, provides for

- (i) a play ground for each school;
- (ii) A  part  time  instructor  for  physical  education  in  upper primary schools;
- (iii) Supply  of  play  material,  games  and  sports  equipment,  as required, to schools.

In  terms  of  the  provisions  of  the  RTE  Act,  no  school  shall  be established  or  recognized  unless  it  fulfils  the  norms  specified  in  the Schedule attached to the Act.

This Ministry does not maintain data relating to basic infrastructure  at  schools  in  the  country.  However,  a  Central  Sector Scheme,  namely,  Urban  Sports  Infrastructure  Scheme  (USIS)  was implemented by this Ministry during the period from 2010-11 to 201516 under which funds were granted to States/Union Territories (UTs) for development of sports infrastructure facilities.

A  Centrally  Sponsored  Scheme,  namely,  Panchayat  Yuva  Krida Aur  Khel  Abhiyan  (PYKKA)  was  implemented  during  the  period  from 2008-09  to  2013-14  to  encourage  mass  participation  in  sporting activities. Under PYKKA Scheme, inter-alia, playfields were developed at Gram Panchayat level and Block level all over India. Under PYKKA Scheme,  many  of  the  playfields  were  developed  in  schools.  PYKKA Scheme  was  reviewed  and  revised  as  Rajiv  Gandhi  Khel  Abhiyan (RGKA),  also  a  Centrally  Sponsored  Scheme  and  was  implemented during  the  period  2014-15  and  2015-16.  Under  RGKA  Scheme  also, inter-alia, funds were granted for creation of sports infrastructure.

A  new  Scheme  called  'Khelo  India  -  National  Programme  for Development  of  Sports',  is  being  implemented  by  this  Ministry  as  a Central Sector Scheme from the financial year 2016-17. This Scheme, inter-alia, provides for creation of sports infrastructure facilities.

Schools under Central/ State Governments are one of the eligible entities  to  receive  grant  under  the  erstwhile  USIS  and  the  current Khelo  India  Scheme.  Funds  were  granted  to  schools/Universities  for creation of sports infrastructure under the erstwhile USIS as well as the current Khelo India Scheme.

*****