Daily Physical Activity (DPA) Initiative  |  Program Supports

The goal of Daily Physical Activity (DPA) is to increase students' physical activity levels. DPA is based on the belief that healthy students are better able to learn and that school communities provide supportive environments for students to develop positive habits needed for a healthy, active lifestyle.

Alberta Education is committed to helping students develop positive daily physical activity habits and recognizes the contribution of teachers, schools and school authorities in implementing the Daily Physical Activity initiative.

Policy

School authorities shall ensure that all students in grades 1 to 9 are physically active for a minimum of 30 minutes daily through activities that are organized by the school.

Guiding Principles

Schools have the responsibility of creating and nurturing a learning environment for students that supports the development of the lifelong habit of daily physical activity and that supports healthy lifestyles.

Daily physical activities should: vary in form and intensity take into account each student's ability consider resources available within the school and the larger community allow for student choice.

Procedures 

School authorities have the flexibility to use instructional and/or non-instructional hours to implement DPA. Physical education classes are an appropriate strategy to meet the DPA requirement.

DPA should be offered in as large a block of time as possible but can be offered in time segments adding up to the minimum 30 minutes per day; e.g., two 15-minute blocks of time for a total of 30 minutes.

DPA can be incorporated throughout the day and integrated into other subject areas.