ABSTRACT
The physical education and health (PEH) as a subject is based on three main central concepts: motor skills; active lifestyles; and security, fair play and leadership. Although the main goal for PEH, expressed by the Ministry of Education (MINEDUC), signals a broad curriculum, when articulated as concepts and learning goals the focus becomes narrowly associated with anatomical functioning, performance and bio-physical agendas. Physical education (PE) classes normally include activities that are oriented to the achievement of an "effective movement", and this must be achieved from some specific levels of motor skills training. The Institute of Technical and Physical Education at the University of Chile was, until 1962, the only centre in which specialist PE professionals were educated. This unique and exclusive education role in the capital city of Chile was not limited to the national level, as Institute of Technical and Physical Education (IEFT) offered the same program in neighbouring countries, such as Uruguay, Peru and Cuba.
