Ranchi: Students from classes I to XII in ICSE and ISC schools across the city will soon have their physical fitness formally assessed, with personalised fitness report cards set to accompany their academic results, officials said.Under the Physical Health and Fitness Assessment Programme of the Council for the Indian School Certificate Examinations (CISCE), schools will conduct age- and gender-appropriate tests and upload the results on a dedicated portal. The system will generate a ‘fitness report card’ and ‘fitness index’ for each student.The assessments will measure cardiovascular endurance, strength, flexibility, balance, coordination and fundamental movement skills. Schools will also be able to monitor students’ physical well-being and track their progress over time.Fr Thomas K Thomas of St Thomas School, Ranchi, said the programme would be incorporated into the curriculum after the council’s notification. “Based on the notification from CISCE, the school will induct the fitness assessment programme into the curriculum,” he said.CISCE said the initiative provides schools with a standardised framework to assess, monitor and improve students’ physical health. It is aligned with the National Education Policy 2020, Fit India Movement and Khelo India.The council said the programme was particularly relevant amid growing concern over sedentary behaviour among children aged 5 to 18 years. Besides supporting motor development and encouraging physical activity, it is expected to lay the foundation for participation in sports and promote emotional well-being during adolescence.Officials said the fitness assessment would complement academic evaluation and would neither replace nor directly determine academic marks.Sunil Kumar, principal of Metas Adventist School, welcomed the move. “Physical assessments have always been a part of our students’ overall assessment. Making them mandatory through CISCE will ensure that fitness receives the same attention as academics. Regular assessment can also encourage students to remain active and develop healthier habits,” he said.
