A recent study by the University of the Sunshine Coast reveals that many graduate teachers in Australia and New Zealand are not adequately equipped to teach school children about key health topics such as physical activity, sun safety, and sleep health.
The research, which surveyed nearly 100 teacher educators across universities in both countries, found concerning gaps in teacher preparation. A significant portion of educators expressed uncertainty about whether their graduates would be confident in planning and teaching lessons on:
- Physical activity (28% of respondents)
- Sun safety (42%)
- Sleep health (75%)
The survey also indicated that most teacher education programs devote minimal time—less than three hours or none at all—to these critical health topics.
Dr. Joseph Scott, Senior Lecturer in Health and Physical Education at UniSC and the study’s lead author, emphasized the importance of addressing these gaps. Published in the Health Promotion Journal of Australia, the study highlights an urgent need for improvement in teacher training.
“Physical activity, sun safety, and sleep are fundamental in shaping healthy habits in young people, and teachers are uniquely positioned to promote these behaviors,” Dr. Scott said. “However, there is no standardized requirement to ensure that all future teachers have in-depth knowledge in these areas.”
The research showed significant variation in how universities approach these topics. Some teacher educators reported that their programs lacked content on sun safety or sleep altogether, a finding that Dr. Scott described as “concerning.”
Teachers, as influential role models, play a crucial role in guiding children toward healthier lifestyles. “Enhancing teacher knowledge on these issues is vital,” Dr. Scott said, noting that improving how this content is taught is essential.
National health data reveals that over 90% of young people in both countries fail to meet physical activity guidelines, with many also falling short of sleep recommendations. Moreover, Australia and New Zealand have the highest rates of skin cancer worldwide, further underscoring the need for targeted education.
Sally Blane, Manager of SunSmart at Cancer Council WA, highlighted the long-term risks of inadequate sun safety education. “Childhood sunburn and overexposure significantly increase the risk of skin cancer later in life. Skin cancer is Australia’s most common cancer and is nearly entirely preventable. It’s critical that teachers are trained to educate students about UV safety and skin cancer prevention.”
Dr. Scott called on teacher education providers to reassess their programs. “We can’t expect teachers to impart knowledge on these crucial health topics if they themselves are not being properly trained,” he said. “We urge universities and teacher educators to ensure that pre-service teachers are equipped with the necessary skills to teach these essential health lessons.”
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