JAMB Physical and Health Education Syllabus

Contents / notes

• Definition, nature, scope and objectives of Physical Education
• Philosophy of the founding fathers of Physical Education: Hetherington, Dudley Sergent, Thomas Wood and John Dewey
• History and development of Physical Education in ancient Greece, including Sparta and Athens, and Rome
• History and development of Physical Education in Nigeria during the pre-colonial, colonial and post-colonial eras
• Origin and development of ancient Greek festivals: Isthmian, Pythian, Nemean and Olympian

Candidate objectives

• State the meaning, nature, objectives and scope of Physical Education.
• Narrate the philosophy of the founding fathers of Physical Education.
• Trace the historical development of Physical Education in ancient Greece, Rome and Nigeria.
• Trace the origin and development of the ancient Greek festivals: Isthmian, Pythian, Nemean and Olympian.

Contents / notes

• Meaning, philosophy and objectives of Health Education
• Home-based Health Education
• School-based Health Education
• Community-based Health Education
• Health facility-based Health Education
• Workplace-based Health Education
• Meaning of Health Promotion

Candidate objectives

• Define Health Education.
• State the philosophy and objectives of Health Education.
• Differentiate between Health Promotion and Health Education.

Contents / notes

• Structure and functions of a typical human cell
• Types of cells and tissues: epithelial, connective, muscle and nerve
• Cell division and differentiation: mitosis and meiosis
• Organs and systems of the human body

Candidate objectives

• Identify cell structures and their functions.
• Identify types of cells, tissues, organs and systems in humans.
• Differentiate between mitosis and meiosis.
• Explain cell differentiation.
• List organs and systems in the human body.

Contents / notes

• Axial and appendicular skeletons and their functions
• Bones and joints involved in movement
• Structure and types of bone
• Structure and types of joint
• Movements at the joints

Candidate objectives

• Identify the structure of the human skeleton and its functions.
• Identify the types of bones that make up the human skeleton.
• Differentiate between types of joints using appropriate examples.
• Identify the different kinds of movement permitted at joints.

Contents / notes

• Major muscles of the body and their functions
• Isometric and isotonic contractions

Candidate objectives

• Identify by name and location the major muscles in humans.
• State the functions of major muscles in humans.
• Differentiate between isometric and isotonic contractions.

Contents / notes

• Structures and functions of the central nervous system: brain and spinal cord
• Types of nerve: voluntary and involuntary, including simple reflex action
• Skin: tactile or touch sense
• Nose: olfactory or smell sense
• Tongue: taste
• Ear: auditory or hearing sense
• Eye: sight

Candidate objectives

• Identify the structures of the central nervous system.
• Explain the functions of the central nervous system in the body.
• State the types of nerve.
• Describe reflex action with specific examples.
• Describe the structure of the sense organs and their functions.

Contents / notes

• Structure and functions of the heart and blood vessels
• Composition and functions of blood
• Types of blood circulation: systemic and pulmonary

Candidate objectives

• Draw and label the heart.
• Compare the specific functions of arteries, veins and capillaries.
• Identify the components of blood.
• State the functions of blood.
• Describe systemic and pulmonary circulation.

Contents / notes

• Structure and functions of the respiratory organs: nose, trachea and lungs
• Processes of respiration: inspiration and expiration
• Tissue and cellular respiration

Candidate objectives

• Describe the structure of the respiratory organs and state their functions.
• Explain the processes of inspiration and expiration.
• Explain cellular and tissue respiration.

Contents / notes

• Structure and functions of the kidney
• Structure and functions of the skin
• Excretory functions of the lungs
• Formation of excretory products: urine, sweat and carbon dioxide

Candidate objectives

• Identify the structure of the kidney and skin.
• State the functions of the kidney, skin and excretory functions of the lungs.
• Explain the processes of formation of urine, sweat and carbon dioxide.

Contents / notes

• Description of endomorph, mesomorph and ectomorph
• Relationship between body types and physical activities
• Definition and characteristics of correct posture
• Types of postural defects: flatfoot, scoliosis, kyphosis and lordosis
• Causes and corrective measures of postural defects

Candidate objectives

• Describe the various body types.
• Relate body types to performance in physical activities.
• Define and state the characteristics of good posture.
• Explain the types of postural defects.
• State the causes of postural defects, such as poor habits, accidents, heredity and disease.
• Explain the role of exercise, nutrition, good habits and medical intervention in correcting postural defects.

Contents / notes

• Short-distance races and sprints: 50 m, 100 m, 200 m and 400 m
• Hurdles and relay races
• Sprint starting styles: bullet or bunch, medium and elongated
• Visual and non-visual baton take-over
• Take-over zone in relay races
• Flight over hurdles and spacing in high- and low-hurdle events
• Start, stride and finish in middle-distance races: 800 m and 1,500 m
• Start, stride and finish in long-distance races: 3,000 m, 5,000 m, 10,000 m, marathon and cross-country
• Rules, regulations and officiating

Candidate objectives

• Name the events that make up sprint races.
• Identify starting styles in sprint races.
• Differentiate between visual and non-visual baton take-over.
• Explain the relay take-over zone.
• Explain the different distances and clearance in hurdling.
• Describe the start, stride and finish in middle- and long-distance races.
• Name the events that make up middle- and long-distance races.
• Differentiate the rules, regulations and officiating applicable to each track event.

Contents / notes

• Throwing events: discus, javelin and shot put
• Facilities and equipment with specifications for throwing events
• Styles and techniques in throwing events
• Rules, regulations and officiating in throwing events
• Safety measures in throwing events
• Jumping events: high jump, long jump, pole vault and triple jump
• Facilities and equipment with specifications for jumping events
• Styles and techniques in jumping events
• Rules, regulations and officiating in jumping events

Candidate objectives

• Name the events that make up throwing and jumping events.
• Identify various facilities, equipment and specifications.
• Explain the styles and techniques in throwing and jumping events.
• Explain the rules and regulations in throwing and jumping events.
• Discuss safety precautions in throwing events.

Contents / notes

• Skills in football and basketball
• Facilities and equipment in football and basketball
• Rules, regulations and officiating in football and basketball

Candidate objectives

• Describe the skills in football and basketball.
• Identify the facilities and equipment used in football and basketball.
• Identify the officials of football and basketball and their functions.
• Differentiate between the rules and regulations of football and basketball.

Contents / notes

• Skills in table tennis and badminton
• Specifications of facilities and equipment in table tennis and badminton
• Rules, regulations and officiating in table tennis and badminton

Candidate objectives

• Describe the skills in table tennis and badminton.
• Identify the facilities and equipment used in table tennis and badminton.
• Identify the officials in table tennis and badminton and state their functions.
• Differentiate between the rules and regulations of table tennis and badminton.

Contents / notes

• Classes, sources and importance of food nutrients
• Definition and composition of a balanced diet
• Diet planning for children, adolescents, athletes, pregnant women and older people
• Food preparation, preservation, hygiene and storage

Candidate objectives

• Indicate the sources and importance of the various classes of food nutrients.
• Define a balanced diet and state its importance.
• Draw up and specify dietary requirements for different groups of people.
• Explain methods of food preparation, preservation and storage.
• Explain the principles of food hygiene.

Contents / notes

• Definition and nutritional values of beverages
• Common nutritional deficiencies and their remedies
• Importance of water in human nutrition

Candidate objectives

• Define nutrition and state the nutritional values of beverages.
• State common nutritional deficiencies and their remedies.
• Highlight the importance of water in human nutrition.

Contents / notes

• Meaning and types of drugs: stimulants, narcotics, hallucinogens, sedatives and ergogenic aids
• Drug use, misuse and abuse
• Causes and prevention of drug misuse and abuse
• Effects of drug misuse, abuse and self-medication on the body

Candidate objectives

• Define drugs and state their types.
• Differentiate between drug misuse and drug abuse.
• State the causes and prevention of drug misuse and abuse.
• Explain the effects of drug misuse, abuse and self-medication on the body.

Contents / notes

• Definition of physical fitness
• Components of physical fitness: health-related and performance or skill-related
• Benefits of physical activity and exercise

Candidate objectives

• Define physical fitness.
• Outline and explain the components of physical fitness.
• Give examples of health-related and performance or skill-related components.
• State the benefits of physical activity and exercise.

Contents / notes

• Aerobic programme
• Anaerobic programme
• Strength training programme
• Endurance training programme

Candidate objectives

• Differentiate between aerobic and anaerobic programmes.
• Differentiate between strength and endurance training programmes.

Contents / notes

• Definition and importance of recreation, leisure, work and rest
• Outdoor recreational activities: jogging, swimming, cycling, bird watching, hiking, camping and picnicking
• Indoor recreational activities: watching television, video games, computer games, playing musical instruments, billiards, card games, Ayo and draught
• Differences between recreational activities and competitive sports

Candidate objectives

• Differentiate among recreation, leisure, work and rest.
• State the importance of recreation, leisure, work and rest.
• Mention types of recreation and give examples of each.
• Differentiate between recreational activities and competitive sports.
• State safety measures in recreation.

Contents / notes

• Definition and importance of dance
• Traditional dances and dance steps from various parts of Nigeria
• Costumes for various traditional dances in Nigeria

Candidate objectives

• Define dance and state its importance.
• Identify traditional dances from various parts of Nigeria.
• Describe the dance steps for various traditional dances in Nigeria.
• Identify the costumes for various traditional dances.

Contents / notes

• Definition of first aid
• Aims and principles of first aid
• Qualities of a first aider
• First aid box and its contents
• Common injuries requiring first aid: cuts, wounds, sprains, strains, dislocations and fractures
• Special conditions requiring first aid: bleeding, burns, scalds, shock and poisoning
• Agencies and bodies involved in first aid: St. John's Ambulance and Red Cross Society

Candidate objectives

• Define first aid.
• State the aims and principles of first aid.
• Outline the qualities of a first aider.
• List the contents of a first aid box and their uses.
• Identify types of common injuries.
• Identify types of common conditions that require first aid.
• Identify agencies involved in first aid services.

Contents / notes

• Meaning and types of accidents and disasters
• Causes and prevention of accidents and disasters
• Disaster relief activities
• Safety at home, workplace, school and community

Candidate objectives

• Define accidents and disasters.
• Identify types of accidents and disasters.
• State the causes and prevention of accidents and disasters.
• Identify various disaster relief activities.
• Explain safety measures at home, workplace, school and in the community.

Contents / notes

• National sports competitions organized by sports federations and associations
• National sports competitions organized by corporate organizations
• Importance of the National Sports Festival
• Organization and administration of sports competitions

Candidate objectives

• Identify by name sports competitions organized by sports federations, associations and corporate organizations.
• State the importance of the National Sports Festival.
• Highlight the organizational and administrative structures of sports competitions in Nigeria.

Contents / notes

• Nigerian University Games Association (NUGA)
• Nigerian Polytechnic Games (NIPOGA)
• National Colleges of Education Games (NATCEGA)
• National School Sports Games (NSSF)

Candidate objectives

• State the names and roles of the different institutional games.

Contents / notes

• All Africa Games: history and evolution
• Aims of the All Africa Games
• International sports governing bodies: SCSA, IOC, FIFA, IAAF, ISSF, FIBA, ITTF and BWF
• Names and administrative structures of international sports governing bodies

Candidate objectives

• Narrate the history and evolution of the All Africa Games.
• Identify the aims of the All Africa Games.
• Identify international sports governing bodies by name.
• Describe the administrative structure of international governing bodies.

Contents / notes

• Meaning and types of disability and special needs
• Adapted physical activities for people with disabilities and special needs
• Social and emotional problems of people with special needs
• Prevention of disability
• Corrective exercises to rehabilitate people with special needs

Candidate objectives

• Define disability and describe people with special needs.
• Identify types of disability and special needs.
• Identify physical activities for people with disabilities and special needs.
• State the social and emotional problems of people with disabilities.
• State preventive measures for disability.
• State corrective exercises used to rehabilitate people with special needs.

Contents / notes

• Meaning and importance of personal health
• Personal hygiene and care of teeth, mouth, hair, skin, hands and nails
• Methods of promoting and maintaining personal health: exercise, nutrition and regular medical check-ups
• Personal health screening
• Eye defects and their corrections: myopia, hypermetropia and astigmatism
• Auditory defects and their corrections: otitis media and partial deafness
• Dental diseases: dental caries and gingivitis

Candidate objectives

• Define personal health and state its importance.
• Differentiate the care required for various parts of the body.
• State the methods of promoting and maintaining personal health.
• State the outcomes of personal health screening for the eyes, ears and teeth.

Contents / notes

• Community health services and providers: orthodox services and traditional services, including bone setters and birth attendants
• Family health: maternal and child health
• Antenatal care, immunization, oral rehydration therapy, breastfeeding and safe motherhood
• Ageing and death education
• Characteristics of elderly persons
• Ways of relating with elderly persons
• Common causes of death

Candidate objectives

• Differentiate between orthodox and traditional health services.
• Differentiate among various aspects of maternal and child health services.
• Identify the characteristics of elderly persons and state ways of relating with them.
• Identify common causes of death.

Contents / notes

• Meaning of disease
• Causes of disease

Candidate objectives

• Define disease and state its causes.

Contents / notes

• Definition and classification of communicable diseases
• Air-borne and respiratory diseases: measles, whooping cough, poliomyelitis, tuberculosis and cerebrospinal meningitis
• Water-borne and food-borne diseases: dysentery, cholera and typhoid fever
• Insect-borne diseases: malaria, yellow fever and trypanosomiasis
• Worm infections: Ascaris lumbricoides, hookworm and Guinea worm
• Animal-borne diseases: rabies and leptospirosis
• Contact diseases: gonorrhoea, syphilis, ringworm, leprosy and Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS)
• Prevention and control measures: immunization, sterilization and isolation

Candidate objectives

• Define communicable disease and state its classification with examples.
• Highlight prevention and control measures for communicable diseases.

Contents / notes

• Housing: characteristics of good housing, including location, ventilation, lighting and sanitation
• Town planning regulations: spacing and overcrowding
• Water supply: importance, sources and methods of purification
• Waste disposal: types, including refuse and sewage, and disposal methods
• Pollution: meaning and types, including air, water, soil and noise pollution
• Prevention and control of pollution
• Pest and vector control: differences, habits, harmful effects, prevention and control

Candidate objectives

• State the characteristics of good housing.
• State town planning regulations.
• State the importance of water supply and list its sources.
• Explain methods of water purification.
• Differentiate between refuse and sewage disposal methods.
• Define pollution and state its types.
• Outline measures for the prevention and control of pollution.
• Differentiate between pests and vectors and state their habits.
• Explain the harmful effects of pests and vectors and highlight their prevention and control measures.

Contents / notes

• Definition of non-communicable diseases
• Examples: hypertension, sickle cell disease, cancer, epilepsy, ulcer, asthma and diabetes

Candidate objectives

• Define non-communicable diseases with examples.
• Highlight prevention and control measures for non-communicable diseases.

Contents / notes

• Definition and types of family
• Nuclear family: monogamous, polygamous, single-parent family and family by adoption
• Extended family
• Characteristics of a happy family

Candidate objectives

• Define the family and explain its types.
• State the characteristics of a happy family.

Contents / notes

• Meaning and importance of human sexuality education
• Reproductive health rights: rights relating to number of children, consent to marry, gender equality and privacy

Candidate objectives

• Explain human sexuality and state its importance.
• Highlight reproductive health rights.

Contents / notes

• Definition and importance of family planning
• Advantages and disadvantages of family planning methods: condom, pills, intrauterine device and abstinence
• Challenges of families in Nigeria: premarital sex, extramarital sex and widowhood
• Agencies promoting healthy family living: schools, NGOs and religious homes

Candidate objectives

• Define family planning and state its importance.
• Identify the various methods of family planning and state their advantages.
• State the challenges facing family life.
• Identify agencies promoting healthy family living.