Sudeep Pakrashi:
Dr. Piyush Jain, an alumnus of the renowned Lakshmibai National Institute of Physical Education, Gwalior, was probably the first man in India who noticed how Physical Education (PE) teachers across the country were being deprived of their deserving identity.
As its reflection, he thought of such an organization which could raise voice against the deprivation of physical education teachers, and the Physical Education Foundation of India (PEFI) was formed in 2008.
The organization has constantly been in the process of raising voice in favor of the rights and establishment of PE teachers’ identity, extending the span of their activities to 29 states, while more than 80 thousand members, including several Arjuna Awardees, Dronacharya Awardees, have built up the strength of the organization.
As a reflection of their constant activities, PEFI reached a milestone last year, being one of the country’s rare sports organizations to have been awarded the Rashtriya Khel Protsahan Puruskar.
Piyush Jain, the founder and national secretary of PEFI, revealed while speaking to Parallel Sports over the phone from New Delhi, “I noticed that the PE teachers were highly neglected. They were deprived of their deserving identity. The people, even specialists in other subjects, were being appointed as PE teachers in several schools. Then I felt there should be an organization that could raise voice for the respect and status PE teachers deserve, and PEFI was formed.”
Dr. Jain still feels the organization, while making several discussions with the government and other administrative bodies, relishes the most memorable move when CBSE was forced to change their decision of appointing any teacher as a PE teacher following their movement against the board.
“CBSE once decided that teachers, even specialists in other subjects, could be appointed as the PE teachers in the CBSE-affiliated schools. We started movement against the decision, and finally, the board was forced to change their decision,” revealed Dr. Jain.
PEFI conducts several constructive activities throughout the year across the country. According to Dr. Jain, who is also a governing body member of the Sports Authority of India (SAI), PEFI liaises with the SAI and the Union Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports regarding the importance of physical education specialists. Simultaneously, PEFI endeavors a constant process of knowledge-gaining programs with the country’s PE teachers. “PE teachers have a problem that after acquiring their degrees, they generally do not update their knowledge, which is mandatory. Considering the scouting of talents and nurturing programs in all sports disciplines, one physical education teacher is the first person who can do the job. In that case, the PE teachers must have to update their knowledge. PEFI conducts the workshops and seminars across its 29 states throughout the year,” claimed Dr. Jain.
PEFI has even started organizing an annual award-ceremony program for the PE teachers. The best performer from a school is given the award.
Additionally, PEFI is now associated with the National Anti-Doping Association (NADA), and the organization organizes seminars and workshops with athletes to guide them about the prevention of doping.
PEFI has another major contribution to nurturing and providing financial support to the country’s promising 108 athletes. Dr. Jain informed that 50 wrestlers are among those promising athletes. They train at different academies. PEFI chooses the most promising athletes among them and provides financial support for them. Chirag Chhikara is probably the most prominent name among the PEFI-sponsored athletes as he has recently become the Champion in Under- 23 Wrestling World Championship. Five more wrestlers are funded by the PEFI who won medals in the Asian Championship.
