Do Generalist Teachers Prepare Children to Achieve Minimum Levels of Motor Competence? The Case of Portugal’s Public and Private Schools

Abstract

his research examines the effectiveness of physical education (PE) in Portuguese public schools, where generalist teachers primarily instruct PE, com- pared to private schools employing specialized PE teachers (PETE). A cross- sectional design evaluated motor competence (MC) among 289 children aged 10 years (149 boys, 10.33 ± 0.70 years; and 140 girls, 10.24 ± 0.81 years). Results showed that students in private schools exhibited significantly higher MC scores across locomotor components and overall competence. These findings highlight dif- ferences in teacher training and resource availability, with generalist teachers in public schools lacking the specialized preparation required to deliver effective PE instruction. The research underscores the urgent need for policy reforms, including PETE in public education and enhanced training programs for generalist educators. These interventions could address inequities in motor skill development and pro- mote lifelong physical literacy.