MALAYSIA, UK TEACHERS IN PHYSICAL EDUCATION EXCHANGE PROGRAMME

KUALA LUMPUR, March 24 (Bernama) -- Twenty-one teachers from the states of
Perak and Sabah are currently on an exchange programme in the United Kingdom
(UK) to share ideas and impart knowledge on developing physical education
training.

Under the same programme, 20 teachers from UK were teaching physical
education at schools in the two states, said Education Ministry director-general
Abdul Ghafar Mahmud.

He said the programme was launched last year, and borne from a pledge in
2005 by the London Organising Committee of the Olympic Games and Paralympic
Games in Singapore to connect young people across the globe to the power of
sports.

"This is a new dimension to sports in schools whereby, the teaching of
sports has been enriched with new innovative ways, thus enabling students to
participate more actively.

"This will come into physical education to teach students how to play
sports well," he told reporters after opening the International Inspiration
Celebrating Success here Thursday.

Abdul Ghafar said Malaysia was one of the 15 countries chosen by UK under
the programme, and hoped it would enhance the 'One Student, One Sport' policy
that would be launched in July for all schools in Malaysia.

"We are confident the policy, which is to get all students involved in
sports all-year round, could be further enhanced by the programme," he said.

British High Commissioner to Malaysia Simon Featherstone said Malaysia was
chosen because of the country's high commitment towards sports.

"I see Malaysia as a country which loves sports, especially badminton, and
it is truly the right choice from the very beginning," he said.