A local educator who has long extolled the virtues of physical activity is applauding the province of Manitoba’s introduction of mandatory physical education at all levels in the K-12 school system.

The pilot health and physical education curriculum was announced by Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew last week.

The new policy makes in-person physical education mandatory for all students from kindergarten to Grade 12, removing the ability of older students to opt out of gym class.

Memorial University professor TA Loeffler calls that a very good move.

She says it teaches students how to be physically active and stay healthy. “It shows they’re valuing that subject matters as much as the others.”