Physical education, liberal education and the Leaving Certificate Examination

This article considers the conceptualization of physical education as a Leaving Certificate Examination subject and the place of physical education in a liberal education. Special attention is given to the conceptual evolution of physical education and its intrinsic educational values and to the developments in the idea of a liberal education over the past quarter century. It is concluded that physical education merits inclusion in liberal education and a place in the Leaving Certificate Examination.