Physical education will become an exam subject with points for admission to third-level courses if the Labour Party is in government after the May 24th election.
Dublin South candidate Cllr Aidan Culhane made the announcement today at the unveiling of the party's sports and recreation plan on the 12th day of campaigning.
The party has promised to prioritise the development of physical education (PE) in schools and in the curriculum, and to enhance the standing of the subject.
Mr Culhane said that despite school principals' complaints to Government, almost 25 per cent of secondary schools in Ireland still lack a qualified PE teacher, many schools do not have sufficient teachers to supervise sports and many pupils get little more than half the recommended time of physical education.
He said: "Is it any wonder that weight issues are an increasing problem among the nation's school-going population? Children and young people are leading more sedentary lives than ever before, while exam pressure often squeezes out time for sport."
Mr Culhane said: "We will improve the status of PE in the syllabus and mandate schools to make more time during the week for physical activity."