Physical training must not be a "mortal" lesson

Author: Elena Nesterenko

Ministers of education and science, public health and for family, youth and sport have got together to solve the problem.

Recently you have to read constantly in news about another child's death at the lesson of physical training. So, only for the last month four children suddenly died during fulfilment of a school qualifying norm. That sad statistics has became a reason for the joint meeting of colleges of the Ministry for Family, Youth and Sport, the Ministry of Education and MHU.

- Fatal cases at physical training lessons happened before, said Minister of Education Ivan Vakarchuk. - For the last five years 13 such grievous cases have been registered. 1 - in 2003, 2 - in 2005 and 2007, 3 - in 2006 and 5 in 2008, at that 4 cases - for one month. Such frightful statistics compels to make urgent decisions which can not be postponed. Because at the present moment it's possible to watch our programming on a reactive policy, that is on such a policy, which is able to react on what has happened only, but not to make certain decisions which must prevent one or another situation.

But what is happening with our children at present? Why lessons, intended for health improvement of their organisms, do turn out a fatal trial?

- By order of MHU official investigations have been conducted regarding the cases of death of children, said Health Minister Vasyl Knyazevich. - Medical aid for children in all those four cases has been rendered in accordance with the norms of MHU. But unfortunately, in the case of the teenager's death in Lutsk technical college, recommendations of doctors were not fulfilled concerning a certain group for physical training lessons.

According to Minister, tragic cases are predetermined by the complex of negative factors.

- One of the reasons is the absence of information about the real state of children's health. During the last tine incidence and prevalence of diseases have grown considerably - by 8.5%. The increase of number of children with serious diseases with chronic development worries especially, which result in disability and fatal outcome. So, prevalence of neoplasms has increased by 20%, prevalence of diseases of digestive apparatus, musculoskeletal and urogenital systems has increased more than by 8%, the number of diseases of the nervous system has increased by 7.6% and mental disorders - by 4.5%.

As Minister asserts, the health state of teenagers is in a critical condition also. For the last five years prevalence of diseases among youth has grown by 15%, including neoplasms - by 26%, diseases of the blood circulation system - by 18%.

- If to speak about reasons of such negative tendency, said Knyazevich, - it is necessary first of all to consider the life style of the modern youth. About 40% of pupils of senior classes drink different alcohol beverages almost regularly, about 30% of children of this age smoke. And the diet regime of pupils causes alarm as well, because it is near to the recommended in 35% of children only. By the way, 25% of schoolchildren do not use vegetables and fruit, but if they use them, then only once a week.

Source: InterMedia consulting