The official JAMB syllabus for Physical and Health Education provides UTME candidates with a complete framework of the topics and objectives they need to master for the examination.

It evaluates students on core areas such as motor skill development, health practices, scientific movement principles, and disease prevention strategies. This resource acts as a focused study guide, helping learners direct their attention to the most relevant material.

Adhering to this outline enables candidates to systematically cover all necessary content, strengthen their understanding, and enter the exam well prepared for success.

General Objectives

The aim of the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination in Physical & Health Education is to prepare the candidates for the Board’s examination. It is designed to test their achievement in the course objectives, which are to:

1. Acquire basic knowledge and practical skills in motor activities, fitness, body maintenance and self awareness;

2. Acquire basic knowledge required to practice positive health habits and maintain health;

3. Understand the relationship between human movement and biological, physical and social sciences;

4. Appreciate the ecological relationship between man and his environment with a view to preventing the spread of diseases;

5. Stimulate and sustain their interest in Physical and Health Education.

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JAMB Syllabus 2026 for UTME and Direct Entry Candidates

JAMB Syllabus for Physical and Health Education 2026

TOPIC/CONTENTSOBJECTIVES

Principles, meaning, scope and philosophy of
Physical Education (PE)

a. Definition, nature, scope and objectives of PE.

b. Philosophy of the Founding Fathers of PE (Hetherington, Dudley Sergent, Thomas Wood, John Dewey).

c. History and Development of PE in

i. ancient Greece (Sparta, Athens) and Rome.

ii. Pre colonial, colonial and post colonial eras in Nigeria.

Candidates should be able to:

i. state the meaning, nature, objectives and scope of PE;

ii. narrate the philosophy of the Founding Fathers;

iii. trace the historical development of PE in ancient Greece, Rome and Nigeria.

iv. trace the origin and development of the ancient Greek festivals (Isthmian,
Pythian, Nemian and the Olympian).

Philosophy, objectives and settings of Health Education

a. Meaning, philosophy and objectives of Health Education

b. Settings of Health Education

i. home based

ii. school based

iii.community based

iv. health facility based

v. workplace based

c. Meaning of Health Promotion

Candidates should be able to:

i. define health education;

ii. state the philosophy and objectives of health education;

iii. differentiate between the meanings of health promotion and health education.

Cells, Tissues and Systems of the Human
Body

a. Structure and functions of a typical human cell

b. Types of cell and tissue: Epithelial, connective, muscle and nerve.

c. Cell division and differentiation: mitosis, meiosis

d. Organs and systems of the human body.

Candidates should be able to:

i. identify cell structures and their functions

ii. identify types of cell, tissue, organ and system in human

iii. differentiate between mitosis and meiosis;

iv. explain cell differentiation

v. list organs and systems in human body.

Skeletal system

a. Axial and appendicular skeletons and their functions

b. Bones and joints involved in movement

i. Structure and types of bone

ii. Structure and types of joint

iii. Movements at the joints

Candidates should be able to:

i. identify the structure of the human skeleton and their functions;

ii. identify types of bone that make up the human skeleton;

iii. differentiate types of joint using appropriate examples;

iv. identify the different kinds of movement permitted at joints.

Muscular System

a. Major muscles of the body and their functions

b. Isometric and Isotonic contractions

Candidates should be able to:

i. identify by name and location the major muscles in human;

ii. state the functions of major muscles in human;

iii. differentiate between isometric and isotonic contractions

 

JAMB SYLLABUS FOR PHYSICAL AND HEALTH EDUCATION 2026

Recommended Texts

  • Afuekwe A. I. (2009). Health Topics in the New Curriculum of Physical and Health Education. Vol. 1. Seas Print (Nig.) Co.
  • Nnabueze, U. C. (2002). Foundation of Health and Physical Education for Schools. Vol. II Enugu: Okotech Publishers.
  • Ofadeji, A. A. (2013). Comprehensive Textbook on Physical and Health Education.
  • Oworu, O. O. (2004). Fundamentals of Physical Education. Lucky Odoni (Nig.) Enterprises.
  • Oyerinde, O. O., Dada, J. O. & Oloyede, R. O. (2021). A Textbook of Physical and Health Education for Secondary Schools in Contemporary Nigeria Education System. Fabonish Publisher, Positive Press, Ibadan. 4th Edition.
  • Oyerinde, O. O., Dada, J. O., & Oloyede, R. O. (2021). All Times Health Education for Individual and College Students. Fabonish Publisher, Bayero University Press. 4th Edition.
  • Puffa, H. A., Agbeko, W. W. & Amui. J. C. (2009). Foundations of Physical Education and Sports. Winneba, Ghana: Akwu