The Manitoba government is introducing a new health and physical education curriculum that will make in-person physical education mandatory for students from kindergarten through Grade 12.
The policy, called “Every Body, Every Day,” is being introduced through a two-year pilot program beginning in the upcoming school year. Premier Wab Kinew said the initiative is designed to ensure that every Manitoba student has regular opportunities to be physically active.
The first phase will involve 25 schools in Winnipeg, Brandon and rural Manitoba. The province says other public schools will work toward implementing daily in-person physical education during the 2026-27 school year, while the full changes are expected to take effect more broadly in the 2028-29 school year.
Under the updated approach, students will no longer be able to rely on flexible or self-directed physical education options in the later years of high school. Beginning in 2027-28, Manitoba plans to require qualified professionals to provide at least 110 hours of in-person physical education for Grade 11 and 12 students.
The revamped curriculum is also designed to cover broader aspects of healthy living, including exercise, nutrition, sleep, screen time and mental-health challenges linked to social media and artificial intelligence. Junior high and high school students will also receive lessons in basic cooking skills and preparing healthy, affordable meals.
Kinew said the policy is intended to make physical activity accessible to students of different abilities and circumstances. The province says gym classes will be adapted where students require accommodations or face barriers to participation.
Manitoba Chief Provincial Public Health Officer Dr. Brent Roussin welcomed the curriculum update, saying healthier habits developed during childhood can help prevent illness later in life.
Teachers and parents will have an opportunity to provide feedback during the pilot, allowing the province and school divisions to refine the curriculum before its wider implementation.
The policy represents one of Manitoba’s most significant changes to health and physical education in decades, with the government aiming to increase physical activity among students while promoting healthier habits both inside and outside the classroom.
Swifteradio.com
