ActiveClass-BHEnhanced Physical Education for Young Adolescents in Bhutan

This study focuses on exploring how school-based physical education (PE) can enhance physical fitness, emotional skills, and overall well-being among young adolescents in Bhutan. Rapid social changes in Bhutan have led to lifestyle shifts among youth, including more sedentary behavior and mental health challenges. This research is particularly important as Bhutanese schools currently allocate limited time and resources to PE. The study aims to determine whether an enhanced PE program can provide greater benefits compared to the standard PE curriculum or no PE at all. This could lead to improvements in how physical education is integrated into school systems in Bhutan, potentially influencing national education policies and enhancing the well-being of students. The study will be conducted in two urban public schools in Bhutan, using a method called a randomized controlled trial. One school will implement an enhanced PE program, offering two 90-minute sessions each week for five months, while the other will follow the standard PE curriculum. A third school, without any PE classes, will serve as a control group. The enhanced PE program will not only focus on physical exercises but also include activities that build emotional skills like self-awareness and empathy. Researchers will collect data through questionnaires filled out by students and their parents, as well as physical assessments conducted by PE teachers. This will help evaluate improvements in physical fitness, emotional skills, and well-being before and after the program. The results could provide valuable insights into the benefits of PE, not only for Bhutan but also globally.