"I Shy Away": Student-Teachers View on Non-Selection of Physical Education As an Elective in Colleges of Education

Abstract

Physical Education since its inception has been playing an essential role in student's development, particularly in early childhood. This paper, therefore, sought to examine the factors associated with the selection and non-selection of Physical Education as an elective course. With the social cognitive career theory as a lens, the findings were premised on a semi-structured interview schedule with 20 targeted student-teachers from the 8 colleges of education in the Ashanti region, Ghana. The study revealed that difficulty, lack of interest, absence of Physical Education in the curriculum, inadequate information and knowledge, and misconceptions about Physical Education underpinned its non-selection. Further, the study discovered that factors such as awareness creation, pursuance of Physical Education as an elective in Senior High School, employing practical methods, employment of additional Physical Education tutors, and health benefits attract student-teachers to select Physical Education as an elective course. The study recommended enlightenment, early education, hands-on knowledge, improved human resource, and well-being as measures to curb the issue of non-selection of Physical Education.