The Challenges and Strategies for School Physical Education Curriculum and Instruction Under Low Fertility Rates in Taiwan

Abstract

This study investigated the impacts of Taiwan’s declining student population, driven by low fertility rates, on school physical education curricula and instruction, with particular attention to rural areas. Through 11 focus group interviews involving 112 stakeholders—including principals, directors, coaches, teachers, and parents—from various regions across Taiwan, the research gathered insights into the challenges and adaptive strategies shaped by this demographic shift. Key issues identified included reduced opportunities for peer interaction, difficulties in forming teams for competitions, and widening disparities between urban and rural schools. In response, schools employed various strategies such as merging grades for activities, modifying competition formats, and emphasizing individual sports to sustain student participation and engagement. Despite the constraints imposed by smaller class sizes, the findings revealed that these challenges also prompted schools to develop more personalized and collaborative learning environments. The adaptive measures not only mitigated the negative effects of declining enrollments but also encouraged innovation in physical education practices tailored to diverse student needs and developmental levels.

Keywords

• Rural education
• Peer interaction
• Urban-rural disparities
• Thematic analysis
• Focus group interview.

Tayvan'da Düşük Doğurganlık Oranları Altında Okul Beden Eğitimi Müfredatı ve Öğretimi İçin Zorluklar ve Stratejiler

Öz

Bu çalışma, Tayvan’da düşük doğurganlık oranlarının yol açtığı azalan öğrenci nüfusunun, özellikle kırsal bölgelerdeki okul beden eğitimi müfredatı ve öğretimine etkilerini incelemiştir. Tayvan’ın farklı bölgelerinden okul müdürleri, bölüm başkanları, antrenörler, öğretmenler ve veliler dahil olmak üzere toplam 112 paydaşla gerçekleştirilen 11 odak grup görüşmesi yoluyla, bu demografik değişimin ortaya çıkardığı zorluklar ve uyum stratejileri hakkında derinlemesine veriler elde edilmiştir. Araştırmada öne çıkan başlıca sorunlar arasında, akran etkileşimi fırsatlarının azalması, yarışmalar için takım kurma güçlükleri ve kırsal ile kentsel okullar arasındaki eşitsizliklerin artması yer almaktadır. Bu sorunlara karşılık olarak, okullar sınıfları birleştirerek ortak etkinlikler düzenleme, yarışma formatlarını değiştirme ve bireysel sporlara odaklanma gibi çeşitli stratejiler geliştirmiştir. Daha küçük sınıf mevcudu gibi kısıtlayıcı koşullara rağmen, elde edilen bulgular bu durumun aynı zamanda okulları daha kişiselleştirilmiş ve işbirliğine dayalı öğrenme ortamları oluşturmaya teşvik ettiğini göstermektedir. Uygulanan uyum önlemleri yalnızca azalan öğrenci sayısının olumsuz etkilerini hafifletmekle kalmamış, aynı zamanda beden eğitimi uygulamalarında öğrenci ihtiyaçlarına ve gelişim düzeylerine göre uyarlanmış yenilikçi yaklaşımları da teşvik etmiştir.

Anahtar Kelimeler

• Kırsal eğitim
• Akran etkileşimi
• Kentsel-kırsal eşitsizlikler
• Tematik analiz
• Odak grup görüşmesi

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