Attitude of School Management Towards the Role of Physical Educators in Schools After National Education Policy 2020: A Literature Review

The National Education Policy 2020 (NEP 2020) marks a transformative shift in India’s educational landscape, significantly redefining the purpose, scope, and status of physical education within school systems. This literature review explores school management’s attitudes toward physical education teachers in the post-NEP 2020 context by examining insights drawn from more than twenty-five peer-reviewed studies, policy reports, and academic analyses. The review highlights several recurring themes: the growing acknowledgment of physical education as essential for the holistic development of students; persistent gaps in infrastructure, equipment, and financial resources; the urgent need for specialized teacher training and continuous professional development; and the evolving integration of physical education into the multidisciplinary curriculum envisioned by NEP 2020. Evidence suggests that school leadership increasingly views physical education as a core academic component rather than merely an extracurricular activity, reflecting NEP 2020’s emphasis on physical literacy, fitness, and socio-emotional well-being. However, despite this positive attitudinal shift, major implementation challenges remain. Many institutions struggle with inadequate sports facilities, limited budgets, and a shortage of qualified or full-time physical education instructors. Furthermore, administrative priorities often focus on academic performance metrics, which can constrain support for physical education programs. The review concludes that realizing NEP 2020’s vision requires systemic and sustained efforts, including enhanced funding mechanisms, robust teacher education frameworks, improved infrastructure, and proactive leadership committed to educational reform. These insights hold important implications for policymakers, school administrators, and teacher educators striving to strengthen physical education as an integral part of India’s school curriculum.