Why the NAPFA test have to go

The compulsory fitness testing under the NAPFA scheme is an outdated harebrained idea that continues to plague physical education at the secondary school level; here are just some of the reasons why it should be scrapped -

• Growth and maturation issues - I'm sure a lot of research goes into devising the test and making sure that the average person in each age category can pass the test, but with adolescents maturing at different age, how can the test be fair?
  
• Impossible to train for test- it is not possible to see improvements in fitness by formally working out in PE class once a week for an hour! How can boys be expected to do pullups when none of the usual sports taught in PE classes can improve upper body muscular strength significantly? So why devise a test where the subjects either pass comfortably or fail without a chance?
• It promotes lousy lessons - teachers make students run rounds and do calisthenics and blame upcoming NAPFA testing for the sessions (it cannot be called lessons anymore), even when everyone knows it is useless. New and contract teachers will learn from these negative lessons and take it as the norm. It promotes sloth and laziness to teach game skills.
• Curriculum time is misused - preparation for testing means that curriculum time for teaching physical skills is lost.
  
• Students are not motivated to be physically active - who likes PE when it seems like strength training every time? The tests is also demeaning and embarrassing for students who do not do well in them.
  
• It promotes cheating - schools need to get decent passes, and some want the awards for doing well in it, therefore cheating is the only option. How is it possible for a school to get such a high passing rate considering the average obese student population in each school?
• It distracts everyone from the true aims of PE - which is to promote lifelong involvement in sports, a healthy lifestyle, character development through sports, support for the sporting industry etc.
  

My sec 1 kids are taking in next term, how? Here's what I'll do -

• Plan skill tests such as agility tests, balance tests etc that are interesting and can encourage the students to be motivated in trying their best in future tests.
• Plan minor games that promotes active movement of the students with game objectives. Making them run around is better than making them run rounds.
  
• Exercise circuits are tried and proven to be quite engaging, even though the students say they hate it.
  
• Teaching technique - in jumping, running, stretching etc.
  
• Plan for variety! One week of each type of activity.
  

All these are done to introduce students to different types of exercises and components of fitness, and also to give some semblance of fitness training, for what it's worth. Any other ideas? Let me know!