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JAMB Physical and Health Education syllabus.

39 topics, with subtopics and objectives.

About this syllabus official

Summarised from the examining body's own published syllabus. 39 topics, verified 2026-10-24.

Current UTME syllabus as served by IBASS on 2026-10-24; JAMB does not print the applicable years in this document.

Structure (sections, topics, contents and objectives) summarised from JAMB's publicly published UTME syllabus, with citation and link. The document itself is not reproduced or redistributed.

Source: https://ibass.jamb.gov.ng/static/media/PHE.d3add6c626efcb3f0f2b.pdf

Source: https://ibass.jamb.gov.ng/e-syllabus

General objectives

  • acquire basic knowledge and practical skills in motor activities, fitness, body maintenance and self-awareness
  • acquire basic knowledge required to practise positive health habits and maintain health
  • understand the relationship between human movement and the biological, physical and social sciences
  • appreciate the ecological relationship between man and his environment to prevent the spread of diseases
  • stimulate and sustain interest in Physical and Health Education

Topics

1. Principles, meaning, scope and philosophy of Physical Education (PE) (SS 1-3)

  • definition, nature, scope and objectives of PE
  • philosophy of the founding fathers of PE (Hetherington, Dudley Sargent, Thomas Wood, John Dewey)
  • history and development of PE in ancient Greece (Sparta, Athens) and Rome
  • history and development of PE in pre-colonial, colonial and post-colonial Nigeria

You should be able to:

  • state the meaning, nature, objectives and scope of PE
  • narrate the philosophy of the founding fathers
  • trace the historical development of PE in ancient Greece, Rome and Nigeria
  • trace the origin and development of the ancient Greek festivals (Isthmian, Pythian, Nemean, Olympian)

2. Philosophy, objectives and settings of Health Education (SS 1-3)

  • meaning, philosophy and objectives of health education
  • settings: home-based, school-based, community-based, health facility-based, workplace-based
  • meaning of health promotion

You should be able to:

  • define health education
  • state the philosophy and objectives of health education
  • differentiate between health promotion and health education

3. Cells, tissues and systems of the human body (SS 1-3)

  • structure and functions of a typical human cell
  • types of cell and tissue: epithelial, connective, muscle, nerve
  • cell division and differentiation: mitosis, meiosis
  • organs and systems of the human body

You should be able to:

  • identify cell structures and their functions
  • identify types of cell, tissue, organ and system in humans
  • differentiate between mitosis and meiosis
  • explain cell differentiation
  • list organs and systems in the human body

4. Skeletal system (SS 1-3)

  • axial and appendicular skeletons and their functions
  • bones and joints involved in movement: structure and types of bone; structure and types of joint; movements at the joints

You should be able to:

  • identify the structure of the human skeleton and its functions
  • identify types of bone in the human skeleton
  • differentiate types of joint using examples
  • identify the kinds of movement permitted at joints

5. Muscular system (SS 1-3)

  • major muscles of the body and their functions
  • isometric and isotonic contractions

You should be able to:

  • identify by name and location the major muscles
  • state the functions of major muscles
  • differentiate between isometric and isotonic contractions

6. Nervous system and sense organs (SS 1-3)

  • structures and functions of the central nervous system (brain and spinal cord)
  • types of nerve: voluntary, involuntary (simple reflex action)
  • structure and functions of the sense organs: skin (touch), nose (smell), tongue (taste), ear (hearing), eye (sight)

You should be able to:

  • identify the structures of the central nervous system
  • explain the functions of the central nervous system
  • state the types of nerve
  • describe reflex action with examples
  • describe the structure and functions of the sense organs

7. Circulatory system (SS 1-3)

  • structure and functions of the heart and vessels
  • composition and functions of blood
  • types of blood circulation: systemic and pulmonary

You should be able to:

  • draw and label the heart
  • compare the functions of arteries, veins and capillaries
  • identify the components of blood
  • state the functions of blood
  • describe the systemic and pulmonary circulations

8. Respiratory system (SS 1-3)

  • structure and functions of the respiratory organs: nose, trachea, lungs
  • process of respiration: inspiration and expiration
  • tissue and cellular respiration

You should be able to:

  • describe the structure of the respiratory organs and state their functions
  • explain inspiration and expiration
  • explain cellular and tissue respiration

9. Excretory system (SS 1-3)

  • structure and functions of the kidney and skin; excretory functions of the lungs
  • formation of excretory products: urine, sweat, carbon dioxide

You should be able to:

  • identify the structure of the kidney and skin
  • state the functions of the kidney, skin and the excretory functions of the lungs
  • explain the formation of urine, sweat and carbon dioxide

10. Somatotypes and posture (SS 1-3)

  • endomorph, mesomorph and ectomorph
  • relationship between body types and physical activities
  • definition and characteristics of correct posture
  • postural defects: flatfoot, scoliosis, kyphosis, lordosis
  • causes and corrective measures of postural defects

You should be able to:

  • describe the body types
  • relate body types to performance of physical activities
  • define and state the characteristics of good posture
  • explain the types of postural defects
  • state causes of postural defects (e.g. poor habits, accident, heredity, disease)
  • explain the role of exercise, nutrition, good habits and medical intervention in correcting postural defects

11. Athletics (track and field events) (SS 1-3)

  • track: short distance races/sprints (50m, 100m, 200m, 400m, hurdles, relays)
  • sprint start styles: bullet/bunch, medium, elongated
  • visual and non-visual baton take-over; take-over zone in relay
  • flight over hurdles and distancing in high and low hurdles
  • start, stride and finish in middle distance (800m, 1,500m) and long distance races (3,000m, 5,000m, 10,000m, marathon, cross-country)
  • rules, regulations and officiating of track events
  • field: throwing events (discus, javelin, shot put) - facilities and equipment with specification, styles and techniques, rules and officiating, safety measures
  • field: jumping events (high jump, long jump, pole vault, triple jump) - facilities and equipment, styles and techniques, rules and officiating

You should be able to:

  • name the events that make up short distance/sprint races
  • identify starting styles in sprint races
  • differentiate visual and non-visual baton take-over
  • explain the relay take-over zone
  • explain distances and clearance in hurdling
  • describe the start, stride and finish in middle and long distance races
  • name the events in middle and long distance races
  • differentiate the rules, regulations and officiating for each track event
  • name the events in throwing and jumping
  • identify facilities, equipment and specifications
  • explain styles and techniques in throwing and jumping events
  • explain the rules and regulations in throwing and jumping events
  • discuss safety precautions in throwing events

12. Ball games: football and basketball (SS 1-3)

  • skills in football and basketball
  • facilities and equipment
  • rules, regulations and officiating

You should be able to:

  • describe the skills in football and basketball
  • identify facilities and equipment in football and basketball
  • identify the officials and their functions
  • differentiate the rules and regulations of football and basketball

13. Racket games: table tennis and badminton (SS 1-3)

  • skills in table tennis and badminton
  • specification of facilities and equipment
  • rules, regulations and officiating

You should be able to:

  • describe the skills in table tennis and badminton
  • identify facilities and equipment
  • identify the officials and state their functions
  • differentiate the rules and regulations of table tennis and badminton

14. Food (SS 1-3)

  • classes, sources and importance of food nutrients
  • definition and composition of a balanced diet
  • diet planning for children, adolescents, athletes, pregnant women and the aged
  • food preparation, hygiene, preservation and storage

You should be able to:

  • indicate the sources and importance of the classes of food nutrients
  • define balanced diet and state its importance
  • draw up and specify dietary requirements for different groups of people
  • explain methods of food preparation, preservation and storage
  • explain the principles of food hygiene

15. Nutrition (SS 1-3)

  • definition and nutritional values of beverages
  • common nutritional deficiencies and their remedies
  • importance of water in human nutrition

You should be able to:

  • define nutrition and state the nutritional values of beverages
  • state common nutritional deficiencies and their remedies
  • highlight the importance of water in human nutrition

16. Drugs (SS 1-3)

  • meaning and types: stimulants, narcotics, hallucinogens, sedatives, ergogenic aids
  • use, misuse and abuse
  • causes and prevention of drug misuse and abuse
  • effects of drug misuse, abuse and self-medication on the body

You should be able to:

  • define drug and state the types
  • differentiate between drug misuse and abuse
  • state causes and prevention of drug misuse and abuse
  • explain the effects of drug misuse, abuse and self-medication on the body

17. Physical fitness (SS 1-3)

  • definition of physical fitness
  • components: health-related and performance/skill-related
  • benefits of physical activity and exercise

You should be able to:

  • define physical fitness
  • outline and explain components of physical fitness
  • give examples of health-related and skill-related components
  • state the benefits of physical activity and exercise

18. Conditioning programme (SS 1-3)

  • aerobic programme
  • anaerobic programme
  • strength training programme
  • endurance training programme

You should be able to:

  • differentiate between aerobic and anaerobic programmes
  • differentiate between strength and endurance training programmes

19. Recreation and leisure (SS 1-3)

  • definition and importance of recreation, leisure, work and rest
  • outdoor recreation: jogging, swimming, cycling, bird watching, hiking, camping, picnicking
  • indoor recreation: TV, video games, computer games, musical instruments, billiards, card games, Ayo, draught
  • differences between recreational activities and competitive sports

You should be able to:

  • differentiate among recreation, leisure, work and rest
  • state the importance of recreation, leisure, work and rest
  • mention types of recreation with examples
  • differentiate between recreational activities and competitive sports
  • state safety measures in recreation

20. Dance (SS 1-3)

  • definition and importance of dance
  • traditional dances and dance steps from various parts of Nigeria
  • costumes for traditional dances in Nigeria

You should be able to:

  • define dance and state its importance
  • identify traditional dances from various parts of Nigeria
  • describe the dance steps for traditional dances
  • identify the costumes for traditional dances

21. First aid (SS 1-3)

  • definition of first aid
  • aims and principles
  • qualities of a first aider
  • first aid box and contents
  • common injuries: cuts, wounds, sprain, strain, dislocation, fracture
  • special conditions: bleeding, burn, scald, shock, poisoning
  • agencies: St. John's Ambulance, Red Cross Society

You should be able to:

  • define first aid
  • state the aims and principles of first aid
  • outline the qualities of a first aider
  • list the contents of the first aid box and their uses
  • identify common injuries
  • identify common conditions that require first aid
  • identify agencies involved in first aid services

22. Safety education (SS 1-3)

  • meaning and types of accident and disaster
  • causes and prevention of accident and disaster
  • disaster relief activities
  • safety at home, workplace, school and community

You should be able to:

  • define accident and disaster
  • identify types of accident and disaster
  • state causes and prevention of accident and disaster
  • identify disaster relief activities
  • explain safety measures at home, workplace, school and community

23. Sports competitions at national level (SS 1-3)

  • national competitions organized by sports federations/associations
  • national competitions organized by corporate organizations
  • importance of the National Sports Festival
  • organisation and administration of sports competitions

You should be able to:

  • identify by name sports competitions organized by federations, associations and corporate organizations
  • state the importance of the National Sports Festival
  • highlight the organizational and administrative structures of sports competitions in Nigeria

24. Names and roles of institutional games (SS 1-3)

  • University Games (NUGA)
  • Polytechnic Games (NIPOGA)
  • Colleges of Education Games (NATCEGA)
  • National School Sports Games (NSSF)

You should be able to:

  • state the names and roles of the institutional games

25. International sports competitions and governing bodies (SS 1-3)

  • All Africa Games: history, evolution and aims
  • international governing bodies: names and administrative structure of SCSA, IOC, FIFA, IAAF, ISSF, FIBA, ITTF, BWF

You should be able to:

  • narrate the history and evolution of the All Africa Games
  • identify the aims of the All Africa Games
  • identify by name international sports governing bodies
  • describe the administrative structure of international governing bodies

26. Meaning and types of disability and special needs (SS 1-3)

You should be able to:

  • define disability and describe people with special needs
  • identify types of disability and special need

27. Adapted physical activities for people with disabilities and special needs (SS 1-3)

You should be able to:

  • identify physical activities for people with disabilities and special needs

28. Social and emotional problems of people with special needs (SS 1-3)

You should be able to:

  • state the social and emotional problems of people with disabilities

29. Prevention of disability (SS 1-3)

You should be able to:

  • state preventive measures of disability

30. Corrective exercises to rehabilitate people with special needs (SS 1-3)

You should be able to:

  • state corrective exercises to rehabilitate people with special needs

31. Personal health (SS 1-3)

  • meaning and importance of personal health
  • personal hygiene: care of teeth, mouth, hair, skin, hands and nails
  • promotion and maintenance of personal health: exercise, nutrition, regular medical check-up
  • personal health screening: eye defects and corrections (myopia, hypermetropia, astigmatism); auditory defects and corrections (otitis media, partial deafness); dental diseases (dental caries, gingivitis)

You should be able to:

  • define personal health and state its importance
  • differentiate the care of various parts of the body
  • state methods of promoting and maintaining personal health
  • state the outcome of personal health screening for the eye, ear and teeth

32. Community health (SS 1-3)

  • community health services: orthodox and traditional services (bone setters, birth attendants)
  • family health: maternal and child health (ante-natal care, immunization, oral rehydration therapy, breast feeding, safe motherhood)
  • ageing and death education: characteristics of elderly persons; relating with the elderly; common causes of death

You should be able to:

  • differentiate between orthodox and traditional health services
  • differentiate among aspects of maternal and child health services
  • identify the characteristics of elderly persons and ways of relating with them
  • identify common causes of death

33. Environmental health (SS 1-3)

  • housing: characteristics of good housing (location, ventilation, lighting, sanitation); town planning regulations (spacing, overcrowding)
  • water supply: importance, sources, methods of purification
  • waste disposal: types (refuse, sewage) and methods
  • pollution: meaning and types (air, water, soil, noise); prevention and control
  • pest and vector control: differences and habits; harmful effects; prevention and control

You should be able to:

  • state the characteristics of good housing
  • state town planning regulations
  • state the importance and sources of water supply
  • explain methods of water purification
  • differentiate between refuse and sewage disposal methods
  • define pollution and state its types
  • outline prevention and control of pollution
  • differentiate between pests and vectors and state their habits
  • explain the harmful effects of pests and vectors and their prevention and control

34. Disease: meaning and causes (SS 1-3)

You should be able to:

  • define disease and state the causes

35. Communicable diseases (SS 1-3)

  • definition
  • air-borne/respiratory: measles, whooping cough, poliomyelitis, tuberculosis, cerebro-spinal meningitis
  • water/food-borne: dysentery, cholera, typhoid fever
  • insect-borne: malaria, yellow fever, trypanosomiasis
  • worm infections: Ascaris lumbricoides, Ancylostoma duodenale (hookworm), Dracunculus medinensis (guinea worm)
  • animal-borne: rabies, leptospirosis
  • contact diseases: gonorrhoea, syphilis, ringworm, leprosy, AIDS
  • prevention and control: immunization, sterilization, isolation

You should be able to:

  • define communicable disease and state its classification with examples
  • highlight the prevention and control measures of communicable diseases

36. Non-communicable diseases (SS 1-3)

  • definition
  • hypertension, sickle cell, cancer, epilepsy, ulcer, asthma, diabetes

You should be able to:

  • define non-communicable diseases with examples
  • highlight the prevention and control measures of non-communicable diseases

37. Family (SS 1-3)

  • definition
  • types: nuclear (monogamous, polygamous, single-parent, adoption) and extended family
  • characteristics of a happy family

You should be able to:

  • define the family and explain its types
  • state the characteristics of a happy family

38. Human sexuality education (SS 1-3)

  • meaning and importance
  • reproductive health rights: number of children, consent to marry, gender equality, privacy

You should be able to:

  • explain human sexuality and state its importance
  • highlight the reproductive health rights

39. Family planning (SS 1-3)

  • definition and importance
  • advantages and disadvantages of methods: condom, pills, uterine device, abstinence
  • challenges of families in Nigeria: pre-marital sex, extra-marital sex, widowhood
  • agencies promoting healthy family living: school, NGOs, religious homes

You should be able to:

  • define family planning and state its importance
  • identify methods of family planning and state their advantages
  • state the challenges facing family life
  • identify agencies promoting healthy family living

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