PROBLEMS FACING HUMAN KINETICS AND HEALTH EDUCATION IN NIGERIA

1. INADEQUATE FACILITIES AND EQUIPMENT: In Nigeria, the availability of world class facilities and equipment has been a major problem facing human kinetics and health education. Human kinetics and health education in Nigeria needs the use of equipment and facilities to improve students’ performance and make them have mastery of the subject. It has been viewed that because Human kinetics and health education is a practical course, it needs more of practice to attain perfection which cannot be done without the availability of the right facilities and equipment.

2. INADEQUATE FUNDING: Human kinetics and health education requires huge spending in many areas like getting equipment, building a sporting arena, paying workers, providing first aid care to people, giving health talks and so on. These areas have been neglected and it poses a major problem in human kinetics and health education.

3. CORRUPTION: In Nigeria today, the greatest problem affecting our development is corruption and Human kinetics and health education is not left aside. When a particular industry is corrupt, then they will hardly develop except they tackle the corruption first which is a much difficult task.

4. ECONOMIC SITUATION: The prevailing economic situation in Nigeria has contributed a lot to the problems facing individuals and every community today. The major task now is how to obtain enough money to bridge the gap between the amount and quality of needed sport facilities and equipment and the available financial support. The economy of  a community has a great impact on the quality and quantity of sport facilities it can afford and develop. An economically weak community may find it difficult to provide and maintain sport facility and equipment. In an economically viable community, sport facilities will enjoy strong economic support if such community is sport conscious.

5. LAND TENURE SYSTEM: The land tenure system in Nigeria, most especially in the southern part, has also being creating a lot of problems not only for agricultural production, but also in developing sport facilities. The impact is more felt in urban communities where there is not proper and effective town planning. Land owners sell their lands without much consideration for playing and recreational spaces. All they want is money and little consideration is given to welfare of the users of the land for sporting activities.

Other factors that contribute to the problem in physical education or human kinetics and sport advancement in Nigeria are as follows: politics, geographic and climate consideration, attitude, pressure group, lack of scholarship opportunity for physical education students and education at large (this is largely due to discrimination and superiority complex of private companies and federal government at large), lack of qualified coach and physical educators (due to poor educational system) etc.

PROBLEMS FACING HUMAN KINETICS AND HEALTH EDUCATION IN AMERICA

There are many problems and dilemmas facing professionals in Physical Education in America. Problems range from poor facilities to kids not receiving proper treatment in the class. I think the biggest problem is the poor facilities. Most states do not even meet the minimum recommendations for physical activity of 50 to 200 minutes a week, according to a 1997 National Association for Sport and Physical Education survey. Even if the kids have a regular physical education class they may not be getting any real exercise. One study in California found that during the course of one week, "school kids were getting only six to 20 minutes of activity tops," says study author James Sallis, Ph.D., professor of psychology at San Diego State University. Most of gym period was spent doing activities such as lining up for attendance or watching other kids take their turn. In some schools PE class was just another period of recess. Budget cuts and lack of teacher training is really starting to hit home.

The percentage of youngsters who are overweight has more than doubled in the past 30 years. (According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 14 percent of children ages six to 11 are overweight, as are 12 percent of adolescents.) It's not just from poor eating habits. The average child in America spends more than four hour a day watching TV or playing computer or video games. If the children are not getting the proper amount of exercise then that can make the difference between being normal weight and overweight. Too many PE programs are characterized by oversized classes, poor facilities, and little administrative support. Another dilemma facing PE has nothing to do with the budget or facilities. Some teachers teaching the classes are not properly qualified or trained.

HOW UNITED STATES SOLVED THE PROBLEM FACING HUMAN KINETICS AND HEALTH EDUCATION

1.     The government organized regular competitions for students to increase their participation in sporting activities.

2.     Rewards were also awarded and scholarships were granted to elite students athletes for their college degree as a sort of motivation.

3.     A standard league set aside for school aged students was organized and well sponsored.

4.     Government made it mandatory for all colleges to have fitness centers and recreational parks.

5.     Insurance schemes were also issued to the athletes in case of injuries

SOLUTIONS TO PROBLEMS OF HUMAN KINETICS AND HEALTH EDUCATION IN NIGERIA

1.     Adequate facilities and equipment should be provided in other to develop human kinetics and health education in Nigeria

2.     Facilities and equipment should be well managed and maintained.

3.     Funds should be regularly provided when needed

4.     The government should also help in tackling the issue of corruption and ensures that allocated money is properly managed.

Also read (FACTORS INFLUENCING SPORTS DEVELOPMENT IN NIGERIA)