Manitoba is introducing a renewed Kindergarten to Grade 12 health and physical education curriculum designed to get students more active and help them build healthy habits that can continue into adulthood.

Premier Wab Kinew announced Thursday that the new curriculum will require in-person physical education from Kindergarten through Grade 12.

The province says the approach is intended to give every student opportunities to be active, regardless of their abilities or interests.

Kinew says the goal is to make sure every student has an opportunity to be active.

“This is all about getting every kid moving every day,” Kinew said. “We want kids in Manitoba to be healthy, confident and happy as they learn and grow, and that starts at school.”

For students in the senior years, publicly funded schools will work toward ensuring Grade 11 and Grade 12 physical and health education courses include 110 hours of in-person class time led by a qualified teacher.

Health and activity connected

The updated curriculum is the first major overhaul in 25 years. It will include new learning outcomes addressing issues students face today, including the mental-health impacts of social media and artificial intelligence, the marketing of vapes and supplements, screen time, and sleep.

The curriculum will address the health risks associated with sedentary behaviour and examine the connections between physical activity, sleep, and mental health.

Nutrition will also be covered, including healthy meal planning, responsible food choices, and the risks associated with sugary drinks.

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Manitoba's chief provincial public health officer, Dr. Brent Roussin, says developing healthy habits early can help prevent illness later in life.

He says health is shaped not only in hospitals and clinics, but also at home, in schools, and in communities.

“We get a lot of questions each and every day about how we're going to reduce ER wait times here in Manitoba today and next week,” Kinew said. “But for once, we're doing an announcement about how we're going to reduce ER wait times 20 years from now.”

Education Minister Tracy Schmidt says the renewed curriculum is intended to help students find activities that work for them, including sports, weightlifting, yoga, walking, and other forms of movement.

 “We started with ensuring every child has healthy food through our universal school food program and now we are leading the country in physical education by introducing healthy movement for all grades and abilities. We are so excited to work with physical education teachers and our partners in schools and divisions as we help kids in Manitoba feel good about moving more,” says Schmidt

Inclusive approach planned

The province says the renewed curriculum is intended to be inclusive, with schools expected to work with students and families to accommodate barriers to participation.

Those barriers could include mental health, sensory, and mobility needs.

The renewed curriculum will be voluntarily piloted beginning this September and continuing through the 2027-28 school year.

Manitoba plans to fully roll out the curriculum in the 2028-29 school year.

The province says the overall goal is to help Manitoba students develop healthy habits and practical skills they can carry with them beyond graduation and into adulthood.