A103: Challenges and Future Directions in Physical Education

Physical education (PE) teachers are essential in promoting physical activity and healthy lifestyles. Yet, they confront significant challenges, including inadequate educational resources, limited professional development, and struggles in catering to students' varied demands. Furthermore, the absence of institutional support and recognition frequently results in feelings of undervaluation, contributing to job dissatisfaction and burnout. These problems, combined with heavy workloads, create a cycle of stress and reduced effectiveness. This study aims to identify challenges and future directions in and provides insights into improving support systems and professional development opportunities to enhance the effectiveness of PE teachers. This study employs a mixed-methods approach, integrating quantitative surveys and qualitative interviews to gain a comprehensive understanding of the issues. Data were collected from 50 sports educators in Beijing. Surveys assessed resource availability, workload, and training needs, while semi-structured interviews explored daily challenges and coping strategies. The study reveals that participants cited inadequate resources and a scarcity of professional growth opportunities. Three key themes: 1) Addressing Varied Student Proficiency Levels: Educators face challenges in adapting instruction to meet the diverse needs of students. This often results in uneven academic progress, as teachers find it difficult to provide equitable support for students at different proficiency levels. 2) Insufficient Administrative Support: Many participants emphasized that the lack of adequate administrative backing has hindered the implementation of effective educational reforms. Educators reported feeling undervalued and unsupported, citing insufficient institutional recognition and resources as key factors contributing to low morale and reduced effectiveness in their roles. 3) Burnout from Excessive Workloads: A significant number of educators reported experiencing chronic burnout due to overwhelming workloads and competing demands. This burnout adversely affects their mental and physical well-being, ultimately diminishing their job performance and ability to engage with students. This study reinforces existing concerns about resource shortages and professional development gaps in, while also highlighting burnout and inadequate administrative support as critical issues. These findings align with previous research but further emphasize the need for systemic policy changes. Key limitations include sample size constraints and potential geographic bias. Future research should broaden its scope to diverse regions and examine the long-term impacts of targeted interventions. From a practical standpoint, these findings underscore the necessity of increased funding, comprehensive professional training, and stronger institutional support to enhance the quality and sustainability of.