The school infrastructure at the heart of the physical education classes: The scrapping of public education systems

Abstract

This article seeks to study reports (or perceptions) of students and education professionals on sports school infrastructure in the didactic-methodological process of Physical Education classes, in five municipal public schools, for the final years of elementary school in the city of Armação dos Búzios-RJ, Brazil. Historical and dialectical materialism were the philosophical frameworks used to guide this qualitative method study in the format of multiple cases studies. Semi-structured interviews were used as a data collection technique for adult participants and questionnaires to students. Content analysis of the data led to three categories of analysis: Learning, Physical Space and Teaching Practice and Materials. The results suggest that the pedagogical practice and skills of students are severely affected in Physical Education, based on inefficient material provision and the type and quality of spaces used, including non-school environments such as outdoor courts and public squares.