Physical Education, Sports and Health in the Midst of a Pandemic

Therefore, the Directorate of Elementary Schools held a webinar with the theme ‘PJOK in New Paradigm Learning’ on Wednesday, October 27, 2021. The aim is to provide education and inspiration regarding the implementation of PJOK in the midst of a pandemic.

Dr. Ary Moelyadi, M.Pd., Assistant Deputy for Management of Sports Education, Deputy for Sport Cultivation, Ministry of Youth and Sports said, responding to this pandemic situation his party made innovations in sports activities. That is by holding a sports festival for the categories of silat, karate and taekwondo which is carried out virtually.

This activity is still a pilot project which is only held in 5 cities, namely Bandung, Cirebon, Indramayu, Majalengka and Sukabumi. “This pilot project is carried out so that our students can move despite the pandemic conditions. Hopefully next year we can expand to other cities,” said Ary Moelyadi when speaking at the webinar.

According to Ary, although the sports festival program is still in a pilot project and is being held virtually, the participants are very enthusiastic. This activity is an effort to diagnose the talents and interests of elementary, middle, high school or equivalent children in PJOK.

“After we tried it, it turns out that many students in Bandung are interested in taekwondo, silat and karate. The city of Cirebon and other cities are mostly interested in silat and karate,” he said.

Ary said that Indonesia still has problems with sports education. Among them are increasing student delinquency including low fitness, exercise has not become a lifestyle anymore due to the influence of technological advances (the presence of games, social media, the Internet and others), lack of facilities for PJOK and extracurricular sports, and lack of physical activity/sports for students.

“So the result is the number of students in the very active category, which is only 2.1%. Judging from the degree of physical fitness, it’s only 0.14%,” he said.

In realizing a golden Indonesia in 2045, Indonesian human resources who are currently in the category of children (< 15 years) will become leaders in various sectors, both government and private. Therefore, it is necessary to prepare the fulfillment of children’s rights for growth and development, health, and character education.

“So educational sports play a role in a fun active life movement. The Industrial Era 4.0, which is dominated by digital use, has almost penetrated all generations, including U-15 students. The demographic bonus for 2020-2030 is the productive age of the population of 15-65 years, but in fact this productivity is not supported by a good degree of fitness. This can result in a generation that should be productive to be non-productive,” he said.

Fajar Wahyu Edi, M.Pd., a PJOK teacher at SDN Banyuasin III, Banyuasin Regency who was also a resource person for the webinar, said that he still continues to actively provide PJOK lessons during the pandemic. Even recently, his party sent virtual silat in video form, in order to take part in sports competitions organized by the district and provincial education offices.

“My experience as a sports teacher, I always believe when we can teach well, teach in a program and plan, the sports teacher will become one of the idolized teachers. The sports teacher who is always eagerly awaited during class. If children like their subjects, they will form sports habits,” said Fajar.

To become a PJOK teacher who is idolized by students, according to him, teachers must be able to make learning sports fun according to the character and interests of students’ talents at school. When teachers are able to understand the abilities and technical skills possessed by their students, both in terms of physical and others, then teaching PJOK will be livelier and better.

“Therefore, sports teachers are required to create innovations in providing PJOK lessons. Especially in elementary schools, which are the spearhead in recruiting talent for children’s sports interests in the future,” said Fajar.

On the same occasion, Sugiharto, PJOK teacher at SDN Lempongsari, Semarang City explained about the right learning media for low grade and high grade students in elementary school. For lower classes, it can be done through audio-visuals such as videos, it can also be through pictures, and direct practice. Likewise for clear height.

“But the difference is that for high grades, it can be developed again according to the material and needs of students. For example, the motion card game for locomotor, non-locomotor and manipulative motion materials,” he said.

To develop talent in the field of sports, elementary school students should be encouraged to take extracurricular activities. Through extracurricular, it is hoped that they can achieve higher achievements.

Muksin, a teacher at SDIT Salsabila Baiturrahman, Prambanan, Klaten Regency added, to create fun learning, teachers can implement project based learning (PBL). Learning that uses projects or activities as a medium.

Usually PBL is done outside the classroom. This is because learning resources are more numerous and varied, more fun and not boring. The mind is fresher and more liberating for students.

“Examples of (good practice) learning activities outside the classroom can be done by collecting various objects around the school such as stones, leaves, twigs, and others. Then calculate it, form it into a picture of something, then present it,” said Muksin.

In addition, it can also collect materials or used goods and then use them as play tools or educational props. For example collecting plastic into balls. “Well, for PJOK, activities from traditional games can be served. Science is to introduce traditional Indonesian games, as well as to cultivate the body and mind,” he said.