PHYSICAL EDUCATION IN THE TIME OF COVID-19 IN MOZAMBIQUE: PERSPECTIVE OF TEACHING ON THE RETURN OF THE SUBJECT TO SCHOOL

Abstract

Physical Education (PE) in Mozambique was suspended from the school environment for over a year, like other countries, due to COVID-19, justified by the need to (1) avoid physical contact (2) reduced the students’ school time and (3) contain SARS-CoV2 contamination. The return of PE to school lacks consistent scientific evidence. The aims of this study are to perspective the PE teaching classes in Mozambique, considering the hygiene and prevention measures against COVID-19 contamination, according to the opinion of the Mozambican speakers/teachers. Method: 5 senior teachers were selected for convenience and for having (1) higher education level participated in the consultation webinar; (2) taught PE in one of the education systems (3) more than 15 years of professional experience; (4) worked in PE curricular reform processes and (5) continued active in the PE training and education system. All speakers/teachers had access to two pre-questions 30 days before the webinar day. The information was audio-recorded on the day of the event, later transcribed by two investigators-listeners for consensus, and later confirmed by the speakers/Teachers themselves. The results indicated that there is an imperative to: (1) curricular reform and change the approaches to PE content; (2) rigorous planning of classes in circuits and use of the hybrid model; (3) train teachers and students in the use of ICTs; (4) comply with hygiene and prevention measures in PE classes; (5) reduce the number of students in PE classes, (6) review the workload of PE teachers, and (7) create material working conditions.