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Schools set to launch martial arts program

Jan 27, 2003
Mitchell Brown, Staff Writer

No, everyone will not be kung fu fighting.

Starting in February, the York Region District School Board will become the first public school authority in Canada to bring martial arts training to its elementary gyms.

But as Heather Sears, a health and physical education consultant for the board, puts it, teaching children how to fight is not what martial arts training is about and certainly not what the board hopes to gain by incorporating it into gym classes.

"Students will be learning sets of exercises designed to teach them injury prevention, to strengthen their bodies and to help them develop flexibility," she said.

Federation president Master Lee Chi Wai agreed, adding physical activity is just one aspect of Chinese martial arts.

"This code of ethics is derived from Eastern philosophies," he said.

"The emphasis of this training is on self-discipline, self-development, personal responsibility and accountability for one's actions."

The optional program is being launched with the support of the Canadian Chinese Kuo Shu (Martial Arts) Federation, which developed a study unit covering the history and development of Chinese martial arts, etiquette and manners, as well as techniques and training.

Teachers will learn the fundamentals of instructing classes in martial arts exercises at a series of training sessions this month.

All training materials have been provided by the federation at no cost, said board spokesperson Ross Virgo, adding the program is a chance to bring cultural studies into a part of the curriculum where it has rarely been seen before.

"It's certainly an enjoyable area for a lot of kids," he said, referring to the popularity of martial arts and related movies among children and preteens.

Costanza Allevato, a mother and co-chairperson of the York Education Alliance, said she has no problem with the program, as long as it emphasizes the physical and cultural aspects of the sport.

But she hopes the program will not turn into a self-defence course that could take the focus off other ways schools can provide a safe environment, such as hiring more maintenance staff.

"If it's part of a safety plan putting the onus on children to protect themselves, then I have some concerns about that," she said.

The first wave of gym teachers trained to teach the program are expected to bring it to schools in February.

Mr. Virgo said he expects wide recognition of the program throughout the board by the end of the year.

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