Education Secretary Sonny Angara has ordered the institutionalization of school sports clubs in all public elementary and secondary schools to promote learners’ holistic development, improve physical fitness, and help reverse pandemic-driven learning loss.

Angara said the move is part of the Department of Education’s (DepEd) broader agenda to link health and academic recovery.

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.

The long sedentary hours in classrooms and the pandemic’s shift to remote learning have worsened inactivity, impacting both health and learning outcomes.

The school sports club program will complement the physical education curriculum by offering two to three hours of supervised sports activities each week.

Arnis will be mandatory, with other sports 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 incidents of bullying.

Membership is voluntary and inclusive, with provisions for learners with disabilities and those in the Alternative Learning System. Existing sports clubs must align with the new policy, while schools without them are required to establish SSCs.

Funding may come from the DepEd’s annual budget, Special Education Fund, school operating expenses, and partnerships with local government units, private organizations, and other stakeholders.

Angara stressed that investing in school sports is investing in academic performance.

The DepEd chief noted that the deployment of legal and procurement personnel is a crucial step toward improving transparency, accountability, and service delivery.