Lower Austria schools expand exercise beyond physical education

Schools across Lower Austria will add more exercise to the school day, including outside physical education lessons, ORF reported. Participating schools will receive regular exercise videos, culminating in a joint 40-minute session for about 3,500 children and teenagers.

On June 9, 2027, the Sports Centre Lower Austria in St. Pölten will be turned into a large outdoor exercise area for the event.

Starting in September, participating schools will receive videos featuring movement and physical education exercises demonstrated by Philipp Jelinek, who is also due to lead the joint session in June. The exercises can be completed during lessons or at home.

Movement to become part of the school day

The initiative aims to integrate more physical activity into everyday school life. Christiane Teschl-Hofmeister, Lower Austria’s education minister, said at its presentation on Wednesday that movement was “not an addition to education, but an essential part of it”.

The Lower Austria education directorate is also supporting the initiative. Education director Karl Fritthum said movement was an important prerequisite for successful learning. The aim was not to train elite athletes, he said, but to encourage as many young people as possible to enjoy physical activity.

Additional exercise is already part of daily life at some schools. Last year, 67 schools in Lower Austria took part in the “daily exercise session” programme. The new initiative will provide another exercise option.

Schools can register for the joint exercise session until the end of April. Participation is free, and the exercises will be available until the end of May.