Abstract:Physical education fosters personal and community wellness by empowering students to attain healthy, lifelong attitudes and behaviors through physical activity as part of the total educational experience. It: promotes a physically active lifestyle;
. Is a link to good health;
. Is a preventive measure against disease;
. Is a program for muscle strength and fitness;
. Promotes academic learning;
. Builds self-esteem; and
The purpose of physical education is to instill in students, at an early age, the value of self-preservation and choosing a lifestyle that is good for both the mind and body. Most physical education programs are holistic. This paper primarily aims to ―give an insight into the health benefits of physical education programs for students within the school system. The paper concludes that by addressing the quality, quantity and intensity of physical education across the country (the educational as well as the activity component), policymakers will maximize children‘s potential for a lifetime.