PHYSICAL CULTURE IN UKRAINIAN SCHOOLS OF GALICIA (1868– 1918 year)

Abstract

Аim. To reveal the peculiarities of the functioning of physical culture in the schools of Galicia (1868-
1918). Methods. The source base of the study was the archival materials of the cities of Przemyśl, Lviv, Ivan-
Frankivsk, Ternopil, related to the activities of secondary schools in Galicia during the Austro-Hungarian
Empire. Results. The development of organized Ukrainian physical culture in the schools of Galicia dates back
to the second half of the nineteenth century. Officially, this began with the publication in 1868 by the National
School Council of a circular, which obliged the school authorities to introduce physical culture into the
curricula of public schools and to organize seminars for the training of teachers in this field. Beginning in 1890,
all teachers were required to involve schoolchildren in recreational activities using exercise. On the other hand,
school principals were required to provide separate annual reports on the school’s physical education activities.
An important step in improving the physical training of students was the introduction in 1901 of two physical
education lessons during the week. However, due to the lack of qualified physical education teachers in public
schools and gymnasiums, physical training of students was not always carried out to the required extent.
Methodical conferences with principals and physical education teachers were of great importance for improving
the level of physical fitness of schoolchildren. This is confirmed by school reports, which contain data on both
physical development and physical fitness of students since 1896. Gymnastics and athletics exercises (running,
jumping, throwing), moving and sports games, cycling, swimming in open water, and in winter skiing, sledding
and even cricket were used during physical education classes. Out-of-class forms of physical training were
popular games and entertainment during breaks, and out-of-school – hiking. Conclusion. Thus, in the period
1968-1918 in the schools of Galicia (Ukrainian and Polish) laid the foundations of modern physical training of
schoolchildren, and hence effective control over the state of this process in schools, which can be used at the
present stage of formation of physical competence culture and a healthy lifestyle.
Keywords: school, schoolchildren, physical culture.