WASSCE / WAEC PHYSICAL EDUCATION SYLLABUS

WWW.LARNEDU.COM

Visit www.Larnedu.com for WASSCE / WAEC syllabus on different subjects and more great stuff
to help you ace the WASSCE in flying colours.

PREAMBLE

The UNESCO charter on Physical education and sports recognizes the inalienable right
of every child to participate in Physical activity irrespective of race, gender, religion and
physical state. Physical education provides opportunities for the acquisition of
comprehensive knowledge, attitude and skills which stimulate individual and group
consciousness. Therefore, the content of this syllabus is designed as a functional
programme for the promotion of the educational, physical and psychological health of the
individual, to equip him with the appropriate skills, abilities as well as physical and
mental competencies to live in and contribute meaningfully to the development of the
society.

The syllabus will not only provide pupils with worthwhile skills needed for participation
in physical activity, sports and recreational activities but also potential carry-over value
of healthful living.

This syllabus, an examination syllabus should be used in connection with the teaching
syllabus because the examples mentioned herein should not be considered exhaustive
rather should be drawn from the pupils environment.

OBJECTIVES

The examination syllabus is designed to assess whether the candidates have acquired the
following:
(i) the understanding of movement activities and the relationships between
movement and concepts from biological, physical and social sciences;

(ii) skills needed in basic motor activities, fitness, maintenance and self
awareness;

(iii) an appreciation of the role of movement and physical activity in human

development;

(iv) the understanding of physical activity and exercise as tools for health and
wellness promotion.
1
EXAMINATION SCHEME

There will be three papers, Papers 1, 2 and 3; all of which must be taken. Papers 1 and 2
will be composite and will be taken at the same sitting

PAPER 1 will consist of 50 multiple choice objective questions, all of which must be
taken within 50-minutes for 50 marks. The questions will be drawn from the entire
syllabus.

2
PAPER 2 will be a 1-hour 20 minutes paper consisting of four sections – Sections A, B,
C and D. questions in the sections will be on portions of the syllabus as indicated
below.

Section A: Athletics, balls and racket games

Section B: Foundation of physical education
Section C: Basic human anatomy and physiology in physical education
Section D: Sports administration and competitions

Section A will have three questions while Sections B, C and D will consist of two
questions each. Candidates will be required to answer two questions from Section
A and one question from each of the other sections. Each question will carry 10
marks.

PAPER 3 This will be a performance test. It will consist five sections, A, B, C, D and E
carrying 20 marks each. The sections will cover the following events as required in the
syllabus:

Section A - Tract events

Section B - Field events

Section C - Gymnastics
Section D - Ball games
Section E - Racket games

In each Section, there will be one compulsory question and two others. Candidates will
be required to answer the compulsory question and one of the others. A maximum of 120
seconds will be allowed for a candidate to respond to a call for performance.

DETAILED SYLLABUS

CONTENTS NOTES
A. PRINCIPLES AND PHYLOSOPHY
OF PHYSICAL EDUCATION

1. Philosophy of Physical Education

(a) Principles and philosophies of Emphases should be on Hetherington, Dudley
founding fathers Sergent, Thomas Wood and John Dewey
(b) changes in concept of physical
Education
(c) education of the physical and
education through the physical

2. Physical education ideologies

(a) nationalism and patriotism in Students should be taught on how physical
physical education and sport. education and sports will enhance
(b) national ideologies achievement of nationalism patriotism and

3
 national ideologies.
3. Recreation
(a) definition and importance Differences between work, rest, recreation,
(b) types of recreational activities leisure and sports should be emphasized
(i) indoor
(ii) outdoor
Candidates should be able to differentiate
(c) recreational activities between indoor and outdoor recreation.
walking, jogging, swimming, cycling,
playing musical instruments, table The role of recreational activities in the life of
tennis, camping etc. an individual and the society should be
emphasized.
(d) differences between recreational Safety in recreational activities should be
activities and lifetime sports. mentioned.
4. Intramural and Extramural activities
Differences between intramural and
And tournament
extramural activities, minor and major games
and sports should be emphasized.
(a) ) definitions of
(i) intramural activities
The role of lead up games and games of low
(ii) extramural activities
organization should be mentioned.
Advantages and disadvantages of each type of
(b) benefit of intramural and
tournament.
extramural activities

(c) (i) definition of tournament

(ii) types of tournament

CONTENTS NOTES

5. Traditional sports in West Africa

(a) ) Origin of traditional sports in
West Africa countires
(b) types of traditional sports in
respective different West African
Countries
(c) ) values of traditional sports

6. Greek Festivals and The Olympic Reference should be made to the origin and
Games significance of these festivals.
The origin and importance of the Olympic Games
(a) ) Greek Festivals: to the social and political life of the ancient Greek
(i) Usthman, Pythian, Nemean and should be discussed.
Olympian Emphasis to be placed on Sparta and Athens.

(ii) Ancient Olympic Games The origin and importance of the modern Olympic
Games should be discussed.
(b) The modern Olympic Games

4
B. NATIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL
SPORTS COMPETITIONS

1. Sports Championship at national level

(a) organization and administration

2. Types of championship
(a) national championship organized by
different sports
associations/federations
(b) national championship organized by
corporate organizations
(c) the national sports festival

3. Institutional sports
(a) the universities games
(b) the polytechnic games
(c) colleges of education games
(d) national school sports federation

4. The All African Games

(a) history of All Africa Games
(b) reasons for disparity in the timing of
the games
(c) history and activities of supreme
Council of sports in African (SCSA)
CONTENTS NOTES
5. International Competitions Emphasis should be on history, organization and
(a) The F.I.F.A World Cup the governing body of each of the competition.
(b) The Olympic/Paraolympic Games It should be noted that all sports federation have
(c) Commonwealth Games their own international competition and should be
(d) All Africa Games stated
(e) world Athletics Championship
(f) World Swimming Championship

C. BASIC HUMAN ANATOMY AND

PHYSIOLOGY IN RELATION TO
PHYSICAL ACTIVITIES

1. Skeletal System Candidates should be able to name the main parts

(a) main parts and functions of the of the human skeleton
human skeleton
Candidates should be able to list the main bones
(b) bones and joints involved in involved in movement of all the joints. Joints that
movement. permit different kinds of movement should be
discussed.
2. Nervous System
(a) the brain The parts and functions of each organ listed

5
 (b) the spinal cord should be discussed. The simple reflex action
(c) the nerves should be discussed.

3. Circulatory System
(a) the hearts muscle Internal and external respiration should be
(b) effects of exercise on the heart emphasized
(c) the blood circulation
(d) function of blood
(e) types of blood circulation

4. Respiratory System
(a) the trachea, lungs and nose Aerobic and anaerobic activities in relation to
(b) the functions respiration should be discussed.
(c) types of respiration
(d) aerobic and anaerobic sports

5. Skeletal muscles
(a) major muscles of the body Name and locations of major muscles should be
(b) types of muscle contraction emphasized
(c) muscle cramp, cause, prevention and
first aid. Isotonic and isometric contraction should be
emphasized.
6. Somatotype
(a) description of the various body type
(b) relationship between body type and
physical activities and sports

CONTENTS NOTES
7. Posture
(a) correct posture The characteristics of correct posture should be
(b) postural defects discussed. Candidates should be able to state the
causes of the following postural defects: kyphosis,
scoliosis, lordiosis and flat foot.
Corrective measures should be discussed

D. PRACTICE OF ATHLETICS, GAMES

AND DANCE

1. Athletics (Track and Field Events)

A. Track Events The start, race and finish should be discussed and
(i) Short distance races (sprints) 50m, demonstrated.
100m, 200m, 400, hurdles and relay
races.
(a) Sprint start: bullet/bunch. medium
and elongated Visual and non-visual types of baton take-over
(b) relay races and take-over zone should be explained.
(c) hurdle events (high and low) Demonstrated and practised
(i) middle race (800m, The flight over hurdles should be demonstated
1,500m, and practiced. Different distances involved in

6
 (ii) 3000 steeple chance cross hurdling should be explained
country
(iii) long distance races (3,00m, The start, stride and finishing should be explained.
5,000, 10,000m) and marathon
(iv) phases of running
(v) rules and regulations
(vi) officiating

B. Field Events The candidate should be able to explain rules and

(i) throwing events: discus, regulations of short, middle and long distance
javelin and shot put races
(ii) jumps: high jump, long jump, Duties of officials should be discussed.
triple jump and pole vault Candidates should be able to explain the
(i) equipment and specification techniques and rules involved in each event and
(ii) techniques identify the various equipment and specifications
(iii) rules and regulations used for each event.
(iv) officiating Safety precautions involved in each event should
be discussed.
2. Games Techniques/skills involved in jumping events
A. Ball games should be explained demonstrated and practised.
(i) (a) football Different styles of high jump (flop, straddle,
(b) basketball western roll, scissors and different
(c) volleyball techniques/skills involved in long jump (sail/hang
(d) hockey and hitch kick should be discussed, demonstrated
(e) handball and practised.
(ii) rules and regulations of each
game Skills in each game should demonstrate and
(iii) Officiating. practised

CONTENTS NOTES
Safety precaution involved in each game should
be discussed.

Candidates should be able to draw and label

3. Racket games standard courts/playing areas and equipment.
(1) (a) tennis terminologies in each game should be explained.
(b) table tennis
(iii) badminton Duties of officials in each game should be
discussed.
(i) Specification of court/table of all games; The application of the rules and regulations
(ii) types of equipment used; should be discussed
(iii) skills involved in each game; Skills in each game should demonstrate and
(iv) rules and regulations practised
(v) officiating
Safety precautions in each game should be
5. Traditional dances discussed.
(a) dances from the regions of each country
(b) costumes for various dances Candidates should be able to draw and label
(c) types of traditional dance and dance step standard court and playing areas and demonstrated
the skills involved in each game.

7
E. PHYSICAL FITNESS AND
CONDITIONING The application of the rules and regulations
should be discussed. Teachers should
1. Physical fitness demonstrate coaching points emphasized pupils
(a) definition of physical fitness should practice game situation should be
(b) components of physical fitness encouraged.
(c) examples of health related and
performance/skill related components of
physical fitness
(d) benefits of physical activity, exercise
and physical fitness

2. Health and Personal hygiene

(a) importance of health in physical
education
(b) care of the body
(c) sportswear Qualities of good health should be mentioned.

F. NUTRITION, DRUG AND SPORTS The importance of keeping the body clean before,
during and after exercise should be emphasized.
1. Nutrition
(a) classes of food nutrients The importance of selecting appropriate
(b) balanced diet sportswear for difference sports and games should
(c) dietary consideration in sports be emphasized.

2. Drug in sports Reference should be made to the effect of good

(a) meaning of drug and bad sportswear on the body.
(b) types of drug
(c) drug use and misuse
(d) the effect of drug on sports
performance

Emphasis should be on pre-game nutrition role of

carbohydrate in sports performance.

Emphasis should be placed on:

Stimulants, narcotics, hallucinogen, sedatives and
ergogenic aids.
CONTENTS NOTES
3. sports injuries Candidates should be able to identify kinds of
(a) common sports injuries sports injuries and explain the causes, symptoms,
(i) dislocation management and prevention of each injury.
(ii) sprain
(iii) strain
(iv) fracture
(v) bruise
(vi) cramps

(b) first aid and first aid box Candidates should be able to define and apply first

8
 (i) special conditions and solutions aid to sports injury. They should also be able to
that require first aid list the contents of a first aid box. Pupils should
be made of the use, care and maintenance of
sportswear. The role of sportswear in regulating
body temperature before, during and after exercise
should be discussed.

4. Corrective and adapted physical

education programme
(a) definitions
(b) categories of people with special The management for each of these should be
needs discussed.
(c) corrective exercise
(d) activities for the special needs The different types and application of artificial
(e) social and emotional problems of the respiration should be discussed.
special needs:
heat stroke, heat exhaustion, drowning The need for safety precautions in physical
shock, fainting, muscle fatigue education should be discussed.

G. SPORTS ADMINISTRATION

1. Administrative structure/functions of Administrative chart and organogram at different

sports at national, regional/state and local levels should be emphasized.
government level.

2. administrative structure/function of sports Administrative chart and organogram at different

at institution level institutional levels should be emphasized