Ban on ball games in some Spanish schools to reduce problems

AN increasing number of schools in Spain are restricting ball games in school playgrounds to reduce problems amongst pupils.

One school in Cantabria, northern Spain, has reportedly been doing so for eight years and only allows ball games twice a week, reportedly because if teachers don’t organise games, the older children “take over”, throw balls at the younger pupils and leave the girls sitting in a corner.

Instead, teachers attempt to propose games without balls which both boys and girls enjoy. On the days when balls are not allowed, they say, there are fewer conflicts in the playground, and, teachers defend, the plan goes a long way towards preventing gender violence.

Meanwhile, those who are against the project claim that it is an “exaggerated” measure to control school life.