Rebecca Manzi Chile approves law mandating 60 minutes daily physical activity in schools: exercises, mental games and inclusion for healthier education.
The Chilean Senate has definitively approved a new law requiring all educational institutions in the country – from preschool through high school – to guarantee at least 60 minutes of physical activity per day. The measure, promoted by senators Francisco Chahuán and Pedro Araya along with other lawmakers, aims to combat growing childhood sedentarism and to integrate physical and mental wellbeing into the educational journey.
The regulation doesn’t replace traditional physical education classes but complements them: schools must organize moments of exercise throughout the day, with playful, educational, and non-competitive activities suitable for every intensity level and accessible to all students, regardless of their physical or cognitive conditions.
Brain activation games and inclusion as educational tools
Among the most interesting innovations are brain activation and strategy games, which are recognized as an integral part of physical activity. The goal is to stimulate the mind as well as the body, making movement a holistic exercise. The law also encourages student participation in designing and evaluating sports activities, an important step toward fostering shared responsibility and active engagement in school life.
Senator Chahuán emphasized that the new rules are based on principles of inclusivity and non-discrimination: schools must ensure that no student is excluded due to disability or illness. The law also specifies restrictions on promoting unhealthy foods near schools, to create an environment consistent with public health objectives.
From text to reality: the challenge of implementation
As often happens, the main challenge will be translating the law into concrete actions. Limited spaces, lack of materials, and high student density are common obstacles in the Chilean education system. However, the regulation represents a cultural turning point: recognizing movement as an essential part of the learning process, not just recreation. President Gabriel Boric, celebrating the approval, noted that the measure emerged after the Pan American Games and fits into a long-term vision where health, education, and active citizenship walk together.
Source: Senado República de Chile
