The teaching of PE has been given a boost with the official launch of a new professional qualification in physical education for primary teachers.
Glasgow and Edinburgh universities have been commissioned by the Scottish Executive Education Department (SEED) to deliver a new postgraduate certificate in primary physical education.
The aim is to encourage primary teachers to develop specialisms, but the initiative also meets a key ministerial priority - to improve the provision and teaching of PE in primary schools across Scotland.
Fees for teachers attending are being paid by the executive directly to the universities, with a contribution also going towards the costs incurred by local authorities. Both education faculties are delivering the two-year programme in two phases. Initially, 230 teachers have signed up for Glasgow and 240 for Edinburgh.
Glasgow University developed a postgraduate certificate in primary physical education and delivered it in partnership with the council in September 2004. Edinburgh University responded to an invitation from SEED to roll the programme out across other universities.