Liz Kirk: Axing PE and arts subjects will leave kids unprepared

In the ongoing push for academic excellence, an alarming trend has emerged in schools: a shift away from physical education and other experiential subjects like art, music, and manual arts.

This prioritisation of academics over physical activity may seem logical, especially in a world where competition and technology have taken centre stage, but it’s a short-sighted approach that jeopardises the health and well-being of students.

Physical education in schools is not a luxury — it’s a core part of a child’s development. Unfortunately, many schools in Australia, due to teacher shortages, are resorting to using non-specialist teachers to deliver health and PE lessons or outsourcing these programs, leaving parents to foot the bill.

This compromises the quality of education children receive and deprives them of critical support for physical and mental health.

If this doesn’t serve as a wake-up call for parents and educators, it should. The long-term impact of this trend on children’s health and well-being cannot be ignored.

The problem runs much deeper than just a gap in PE lessons. As schools focus more narrowly on academics, children — who are built to move and explore — are being forced into sedentary, screen-based activities that stifle both movement and creativity.

This increasingly rigid academic structure risks not only their physical health but also their cognitive and emotional development.

The health risks associated with this shift are significant. We live in an era where screens dominate our lives, and I believe schools should teach self-care skills to help students avoid the growing number of health problems linked to excessive screen time.

Children today experience neck, back, and shoulder pain, as well as headaches, similar to adults. In fact, a primary school in Queensland invited a physiotherapist to operate a clinic on school grounds to address the high demand for such services among students.

The problem extends beyond just musculoskeletal discomfort. Sedentary lifestyles, coupled with poor posture from prolonged screen use, increase the risk of chronic diseases, including heart disease, type 2 diabetes, obesity and depression.

Studies also show a correlation between the stooped posture of constantly looking down at phones or laptops with low energy and feelings of helplessness and hopelessness.

This is not just a future problem; it’s happening now and will affect the next generation even more intensely.

The long-term consequences of neglecting physical education are already starting to show. A poll by tech company Alvica Medical found that generation Z takes more days off work due to back and neck pain than any other generation.

Subjects like PE, art, music, and manual arts offer more than physical exercise or creative outlets — they provide essential experiential learning opportunities that foster critical thinking, collaboration, and adaptability.

These subjects also promote mental well-being. Physical activity, for example, has been shown to boost cognitive function, enhance learning, and improve memory. Regular exercise is linked to better academic performance while also reducing stress, anxiety, and the negative effects of excessive screen time.

Yet, schools are increasingly cutting these subjects, either reducing the time allotted to them or removing them entirely from the curriculum.

Without opportunities for movement and creative expression, it’s no surprise that student disengagement, behavioural issues, and poor mental health are on the rise.

This narrow focus on academics doesn’t just harm students — it’s also taking a toll on teachers.

A recent study by Monash University found that Australian teachers are reporting extremely high levels of stress, with many considering leaving the profession due to concerns about their health and wellbeing.

I believe the exclusion of experiential subjects, which offer relief and variety to the school day, adds to the pressure, leaving teachers to manage increasingly restless, distracted, and unmotivated students.

In my opinion, schools should aim to create well-rounded, happy, and healthy adults, not just push students through academic hoops.

By side-lining subjects that foster creativity, self-expression, and physical well-being, we deprive children of the tools they need to succeed, not just in school but in life.

I hope that by creating a more holistic curriculum that includes ample opportunities for physical activity and creativity, we can combat the negative health impacts of increasing screen time.

We can also support our teachers, reduce student disengagement, and prepare children for the diverse challenges they will face beyond the classroom.

Education should not be solely about academics — it should prepare children for life.

Dr Liz Kirk is a health, safety and wellness expert