Physical and Health Education JAMB Syllabus 2027/2028 Download PDF

The JAMB Physical and Health Education syllabus 2027/2028 covers the main areas of physical education, health education, human anatomy, sports, fitness, nutrition, safety, diseases and family health that you need to study for the examination.

The syllabus begins with the foundations and principles of Physical and Health Education, including the meaning, scope, philosophy and development of Physical Education and Health Education.

It also covers human anatomy and physiology, where you will study body systems such as the skeletal, muscular, nervous, circulatory, respiratory and excretory systems, as well as posture and body types.

Other major areas include athletics, ball games, racket games, food and nutrition, drugs, physical fitness, recreation, dance, first aid and safety education.

You will also study sports competitions, adapted physical education, personal and community health, communicable and non-communicable diseases, environmental health, family life and human sexuality education.

This guide covers the JAMB Physical and Health Education syllabus topics and objectives, the PDF download section, recommended textbooks and revision guidance.

Download JAMB Physical and Health Education Syllabus 2027/2028 PDF

You can save the JAMB Physical and Health Education syllabus 2027/2028 PDF on your phone or computer and use it as a guide while preparing for the examination.

The syllabus covers major areas such as Physical Education, Health Education, human anatomy and physiology, sports and games, food and nutrition, drugs, physical fitness, recreation, first aid, safety, sports competitions, personal health, diseases, environmental health and family life.

Download the JAMB Physical and Health Education Syllabus 2027/2028 PDF here:

Tap or click it to open the PDF and save it to your device.

Use the syllabus as a checklist to track the sections you have completed and identify the areas that still need more revision.

1: Foundations and Principles of Physical and Health Education

This section covers the meaning, scope, philosophy and development of Physical Education, as well as the basic ideas of Health Education and health promotion.

Physical Education

Study the:

• meaning of Physical Education;
• nature and scope of Physical Education;
• objectives of Physical Education.

Also understand how Physical Education contributes to physical development, movement and healthy living.

Philosophy of Physical Education

Important founding fathers to study include:

• Hetherington;
• Dudley Sargent;
• Thomas Wood;
• John Dewey.

Focus on the main ideas associated with their philosophies and how they influenced the development of Physical Education.

History and Development of Physical Education

The historical development of Physical Education covers:

• ancient Greece;
• Sparta;
• Athens;
• Rome;
• pre-colonial Nigeria;
• colonial Nigeria;
• post-colonial Nigeria.

The syllabus also includes ancient Greek festivals such as:

• Isthmian Festival;
• Pythian Festival;
• Nemean Festival;
• Olympic Festival.

Health Education

Health Education focuses on knowledge and practices that support healthy living.

Study its:

• meaning;
• philosophy;
• objectives.

Settings of Health Education

Health Education can take place in different settings, including:

• home;
• school;
• community;
• health facilities;
• workplace.

Health Promotion

Also understand the meaning of health promotion and how it differs from Health Education.

The main focus is to understand the foundations of Physical and Health Education, trace their development and distinguish between Health Education and health promotion.

2: Human Anatomy and Physiology

This section covers the major cells, tissues, organs and body systems that support movement and physical activity.

Cells, Tissues and Body Systems

Study the structure and functions of a typical human cell, as well as:

• epithelial tissue;
• connective tissue;
• muscle tissue;
• nerve tissue;
• mitosis;
• meiosis;
• cell differentiation;
• organs and body systems.

Focus on distinguishing the main cell and tissue types and understanding how they form organs and systems.

Skeletal System

The skeletal system includes the:

• axial skeleton;
• appendicular skeleton;
• bones;
• joints.

Study the structure and types of bones and joints, their functions and the movements permitted at different joints.

Muscular System

Learn the major muscles of the body and their functions.

Also understand the difference between:

• isometric contraction;
• isotonic contraction.

Nervous System and Sense Organs

The central nervous system includes the:

• brain;
• spinal cord.

Study their functions, voluntary and involuntary nerves, and simple reflex action.

The sense organs covered are:

• skin for touch;
• nose for smell;
• tongue for taste;
• ear for hearing;
• eye for sight.

Circulatory System

Focus on the structure and functions of the:

• heart;
• arteries;
• veins;
• capillaries.

Also study the composition and functions of blood and distinguish between systemic and pulmonary circulation.

Respiratory System

The main respiratory organs include the nose, trachea and lungs.

Study:

• inspiration;
• expiration;
• tissue respiration;
• cellular respiration.

Excretory System

Focus on the excretory roles of the:

• kidneys;
• skin;
• lungs.

Understand the formation and removal of urine, sweat and carbon dioxide.

Somatotypes and Posture

The main body types are:

• endomorph;
• mesomorph;
• ectomorph.

Also study correct posture and common postural defects such as:

• flatfoot;
• scoliosis;
• kyphosis;
• lordosis.

Pay attention to their causes and corrective measures, including exercise, nutrition, good habits and medical intervention.

3: Sports and Games

This section covers athletics, football, basketball, table tennis and badminton, with attention to skills, equipment, rules and officiating.

Athletics

Athletics is divided into track events and field events.

Track Events

Important track events include:

• 50m, 100m, 200m and 400m sprints;
• hurdles;
• relay races;
• 800m and 1,500m middle-distance races;
• 3,000m, 5,000m and 10,000m long-distance races;
• marathon;
• cross-country.

Also study sprint starting styles such as:

• bullet or bunch start;
• medium start;
• elongated start.

For relay races, understand visual and non-visual baton take-over and the take-over zone.

Pay attention to the start, stride and finish used in middle- and long-distance races, as well as the rules, regulations and officiating of each event.

Field Events

Field events include throwing and jumping events.

Throwing events:

• discus;
• javelin;
• shot put.

Jumping events:

• high jump;
• long jump;
• pole vault;
• triple jump.

Focus on the facilities, equipment, techniques, rules, officiating and safety measures connected with these events.

Ball Games

The ball games covered are:

• football;
• basketball.

Study the main skills used in each game, their facilities and equipment, rules and regulations, and the officials responsible for controlling play.

Racket Games

The racket games covered are:

• table tennis;
• badminton.

Focus on:

• basic skills;
• facilities and equipment;
• rules and regulations;
• officials and their functions.

The main aim is to recognize the different sports and events, understand the skills involved and apply the correct rules, equipment standards and officiating procedures.

4: Food, Nutrition and Drugs

This section covers food nutrients, balanced diet, nutrition, water and drugs, including their effects on health.

Food

Study the main classes of food nutrients, their sources and importance.

You should also understand the meaning and composition of a balanced diet and how dietary needs differ among:

• children;
• adolescents;
• athletes;
• pregnant women;
• older people.

Other areas include:

• food preparation;
• food preservation;
• food storage;
• food hygiene.

Nutrition

Nutrition deals with how food supports growth, health and body functions.

Focus on:

• meaning of nutrition;
• nutritional value of beverages;
• common nutritional deficiencies;
• remedies for nutritional deficiencies;
• importance of water in human nutrition.

Drugs

The syllabus covers different types of drugs, including:

• stimulants;
• narcotics;
• hallucinogens;
• sedatives;
• ergogenic aids.

Also study the difference between drug use, misuse and abuse.

Pay attention to:

• causes of drug misuse and abuse;
• prevention of drug misuse and abuse;
• effects of drug misuse and abuse on the body;
• effects of self-medication.

The main focus is to understand how food, nutrition and drugs affect health and physical well-being.

5: Physical Fitness and Conditioning

This section covers physical fitness and the main conditioning programmes used to improve health and performance.

Physical Fitness

Physical fitness refers to the ability of the body to perform physical activities effectively.

The syllabus groups fitness components into:

• health-related components;
• performance or skill-related components.

Focus on identifying the components in each group and understanding how they contribute to physical performance and general well-being.

Also study the benefits of:

• regular physical activity;
• exercise;
• maintaining good fitness levels.

Conditioning Programmes

Conditioning programmes are designed to improve different aspects of physical fitness.

The main types covered are:

• aerobic programmes;
• anaerobic programmes;
• strength training programmes;
• endurance training programmes.

Understand the differences between aerobic and anaerobic training, and between strength and endurance programmes.

The main focus is to understand the components of physical fitness and distinguish the major conditioning programmes used to improve physical performance.

6: Recreation, Leisure and Dance

This section covers recreation, leisure, work, rest and traditional dance activities.

Recreation and Leisure

Study the meaning and importance of:

• recreation;
• leisure;
• work;
• rest.

You should also understand the differences between these concepts and how they contribute to healthy living.

Types of Recreational Activities

Recreational activities may be grouped into outdoor and indoor activities.

Outdoor examples include:

• jogging;
• swimming;
• cycling;
• bird watching;
• hiking;
• camping;
• picnicking.

Indoor examples include:

• watching television;
• video games;
• computer games;
• playing musical instruments;
• billiards;
• card games;
• Ayo;
• draught.

Also understand the difference between recreational activities and competitive sports, and pay attention to safety measures during recreation.

Dance

Dance is another important part of physical activity and cultural expression.

Study:

• meaning and importance of dance;
• traditional dances from different parts of Nigeria;
• dance steps;
• costumes used for different traditional dances.

The main focus is to distinguish recreation, leisure, work and rest, identify types of recreational activities, and understand traditional Nigerian dances and their costumes.

7: First Aid and Safety Education

This section covers the basic principles of first aid, common injuries, emergency conditions and safety measures.

First Aid

First aid is the immediate care given to an injured or ill person before full medical treatment is available.

Study:

• meaning of first aid;
• aims and principles of first aid;
• qualities of a first aider;
• contents of a first aid box and their uses.

Common Injuries and Conditions

Important injuries and conditions include:

• cuts;
• wounds;
• sprains;
• strains;
• dislocations;
• fractures;
• bleeding;
• burns;
• scalds;
• shock;
• poisoning.

Focus on recognizing these conditions and understanding when first aid is required.

First Aid Organizations

Important bodies involved in first aid include:

• St. John’s Ambulance;
• Red Cross Society.

Understand their role in first aid services.

Safety Education

Safety education covers accidents, disasters and ways of preventing them.

Study:

• meaning and types of accidents;
• meaning and types of disasters;
• causes and prevention;
• disaster relief activities.

Also pay attention to safety measures in:

• the home;
• workplace;
• school;
• community.

The main focus is to understand how first aid is provided and how accidents and disasters can be prevented or managed safely.

8: National and International Sports Competitions

This section covers sports competitions in Nigeria, institutional games, the All Africa Games and major international sports governing bodies.

National Sports Competitions

Study the main types of national competitions, including:

• competitions organized by sports federations and associations;
• competitions organized by corporate organizations;
• the National Sports Festival.

Focus on the importance of the National Sports Festival and the basic organization and administration of sports competitions in Nigeria.

Institutional Games

Important institutional competitions include:

• NUGA;
• NIPOGA;
• NATCEGA;
• National School Sports Games.

Understand the names and roles of these competitions.

All Africa Games

Study the:

• history and development of the All Africa Games;
• aims of the competition.

International Sports Governing Bodies

Important bodies include:

• SCSA;
• IOC;
• FIFA;
• IAAF;
• ISSF;
• FIBA;
• ITTF;
• BWF.

Focus on identifying these organizations and understanding their administrative roles in international sports.

The main focus is to recognize major national and international competitions and understand the organizations responsible for managing different sports.

9: Corrective and Adapted Physical Education

This section covers disability, special needs, adapted physical activities and corrective exercises.

Disability and Special Needs

Study the meaning of:

• disability;
• special needs;
• different types of disability.

Focus on recognizing the challenges faced by people with special needs.

Adapted Physical Activities

Adapted physical activities are modified to suit people with disabilities or special needs.

Study the types of physical activities that can be used to support participation and improve physical ability.

Social and Emotional Problems

People with special needs may experience social and emotional difficulties.

Focus on identifying these problems and understanding how they may affect participation in physical activities and everyday life.

Prevention of Disability

Study the measures that can help prevent different forms of disability.

Corrective Exercises

Corrective exercises are used to support rehabilitation.

Focus on the exercises that can help people with special needs improve movement, posture or physical function.

The main focus is to understand disability and special needs, identify suitable adapted activities and recognize the role of corrective exercise in rehabilitation.

10: Personal and Community Health

This section covers personal hygiene, health screening, community health services, maternal and child health, ageing and death education.

Personal Health

Study the meaning and importance of personal health.

Important areas include the care of:

• teeth and mouth;
• hair;
• skin;
• hands;
• nails.

Methods of maintaining personal health include:

• exercise;
• good nutrition;
• regular medical check-ups.

Personal Health Screening

The syllabus covers screening for common eye, ear and dental conditions.

Examples include:

• myopia;
• hypermetropia;
• astigmatism;
• otitis media;
• partial deafness;
• dental caries;
• gingivitis.

Focus on recognizing these conditions and their basic corrections or management.

Community Health

Community health includes services provided through:

• orthodox health services;
• traditional health services;
• bone setters;
• birth attendants.

Understand the differences between the main forms of health service.

Maternal and Child Health

Important areas include:

• antenatal care;
• immunization;
• oral rehydration therapy;
• breastfeeding;
• safe motherhood.

Ageing and Death Education

Study:

• characteristics of elderly people;
• appropriate ways of relating with the elderly;
• common causes of death.

The main focus is to understand how personal and community health practices support individual, family and community well-being.

11: Diseases and Environmental Health

This section covers communicable diseases, non-communicable diseases and environmental health, including their causes, prevention and control.

Communicable Diseases

Communicable diseases can spread from one person, animal or source to another.

The main groups include:

• air-borne or respiratory diseases such as measles, whooping cough, poliomyelitis, tuberculosis and cerebro-spinal meningitis;
• water and food-borne diseases such as dysentery, cholera and typhoid fever;
• insect-borne diseases such as malaria, yellow fever and trypanosomiasis;
• worm infections such as tapeworm, hookworm and guinea worm;
• animal-borne diseases such as rabies and leptospirosis;
• contact diseases such as gonorrhoea, syphilis, ringworm, leprosy and AIDS.

Focus on recognizing the different classifications and understanding their prevention and control measures.

Non-Communicable Diseases

Non-communicable diseases do not spread directly from one person to another.

Examples covered include:

• hypertension;
• sickle cell disease;
• cancer;
• epilepsy;
• ulcer;
• asthma;
• diabetes.

Study their basic meaning and the measures used for prevention and control.

Environmental Health

Environmental health focuses on maintaining surroundings that support good health.

Important areas include:

• housing;
• water supply;
• waste disposal;
• pollution;
• pest and vector control.

Housing and Water Supply

Study the characteristics of good housing, including:

• suitable location;
• ventilation;
• lighting;
• sanitation.

Also understand the importance and sources of water supply and the main methods used for water purification.

Waste Disposal and Pollution

Know the difference between refuse and sewage and the methods used to dispose of them.

The main types of pollution are:

• air pollution;
• water pollution;
• soil pollution;
• noise pollution.

Focus on how pollution can be prevented and controlled.

Pest and Vector Control

Understand the difference between a pest and a vector, their harmful effects and the methods used to prevent or control them.

The main focus is to recognize major diseases, understand their prevention and control, and know how a healthy environment can reduce health risks.

12: Family Life and Human Sexuality Education

This section covers family structure, human sexuality education, reproductive health rights and family planning.

Family

Study the meaning and types of family, including:

• nuclear family;
• monogamous family;
• polygamous family;
• single-parent family;
• family by adoption;
• extended family.

Also understand the characteristics of a happy and healthy family.

Human Sexuality Education

Human sexuality education focuses on knowledge and attitudes that support responsible family and personal health decisions.

Important areas include:

• meaning and importance;
• reproductive health rights;
• consent to marry;
• gender equality;
• privacy;
• decisions concerning family size.

Family Planning

Study the meaning and importance of family planning and the advantages and disadvantages of the methods listed in the syllabus, including:

• condoms;
• pills;
• uterine devices;
• abstinence.

Challenges Facing Families

The syllabus also covers challenges that may affect family life in Nigeria, including:

• premarital sex;
• extramarital sex;
• widowhood.

Healthy Family Living

Agencies and institutions that can promote healthy family living include:

• schools;
• non-governmental organizations;
• religious homes.

The main focus is to understand family types, responsible family relationships, reproductive health rights, family planning and the factors that support healthy family life.

How to Use the JAMB Physical and Health Education Syllabus for Revision

Use the JAMB Physical and Health Education syllabus as a checklist so you can revise each major section without making your study plan unnecessarily long.

Read also: JAMB Area of Concentration for Physical and Health Education Subject 2027/2028

Start with the foundation topics, especially:

• Physical Education;
• Health Education;
• health promotion;
• basic anatomy and physiology.

These areas help you understand later topics on movement, fitness, health and disease.

For Human Anatomy and Physiology, revise the body systems together. Pay attention to:

• structures;
• functions;
• movement;
• differences between related terms.

For Sports and Games, focus on the skills, facilities, equipment, rules, regulations and officiating for athletics, football, basketball, table tennis and badminton.

For Food, Nutrition and Drugs, revise:

• classes of food nutrients;
• balanced diet;
• diet planning;
• food hygiene;
• nutritional deficiencies;
• drug types;
• drug misuse and abuse.

For Physical Fitness, understand the difference between health-related and skill-related fitness, as well as aerobic, anaerobic, strength and endurance training.

For First Aid and Safety Education, learn the principles of first aid, contents of the first aid box, common injuries and the main safety measures used at home, school, workplace and community.

For health-related topics, pay attention to:

• personal hygiene;
• community health services;
• communicable diseases;
• non-communicable diseases;
• environmental health;
• disease prevention and control.

For Family Life and Human Sexuality Education, revise family types, reproductive health rights, family planning and healthy family relationships.

Use the objectives under each section to check whether you can identify, describe, compare, explain and apply the required knowledge.

Because the syllabus covers both Physical Education and Health Education, avoid revising only sports or only health topics.

Recommended Texts for JAMB Physical and Health Education

The following books are recommended for studying JAMB Physical and Health Education:

1. Afuekwe, A. I. (2007), An Introductory Textbook of Physical Education for Secondary Schools and Colleges, Vol. 1. Sales Point (Nig.) Co.
2. Afuekwe, A. I. (2009), Health Topics in the New Curriculum of Physical and Health Education, Vol. 1. Seas Print (Nig.) Co.
3. Nnabueze, U. C. (2002), Foundation of Health and Physical Education for Schools, Vol. II. Enugu: Okotech Publishers.
4. Ofadeji, A. A. (2013), Comprehensive Textbook on Physical and Health Education.

Read also: Full List of JAMB Recommended Textbooks for Physical and Health Education 2027/2028

These texts can support your revision in Physical Education, health education, sports, fitness, anatomy, safety and other health-related topics.

Key Points to Remember

• Physical and Health Education combines movement, fitness, sports, health and disease prevention.
• Physical Education covers its meaning, scope, philosophy, history and development.
• Health Education includes its meaning, objectives, settings and health promotion.
• Human Anatomy and Physiology covers the skeletal, muscular, nervous, circulatory, respiratory and excretory systems.
• Understand the differences between mitosis and meiosis, as well as isometric and isotonic contractions.
• Important posture topics include endomorph, mesomorph, ectomorph, flatfoot, scoliosis, kyphosis and lordosis.
• Sports and games include athletics, football, basketball, table tennis and badminton.
• For athletics, revise track events, field events, techniques, facilities, equipment, rules and officiating.
• Food and Nutrition covers food nutrients, balanced diet, dietary needs, food hygiene and nutritional deficiencies.
• Drug topics include stimulants, narcotics, hallucinogens, sedatives and ergogenic aids, as well as misuse and abuse.
• Physical fitness includes health-related and skill-related components.
• Conditioning programmes include aerobic, anaerobic, strength and endurance training.
• Recreation and leisure should be distinguished from work, rest and competitive sports.
• First Aid covers common injuries, emergency conditions, first aid principles and first aid organizations.
• Safety Education includes accidents, disasters, prevention, relief activities and safety measures.
• National and international sports topics include NUGA, NIPOGA, NATCEGA, National Sports Festival, All Africa Games and major governing bodies.
• Corrective and Adapted Physical Education focuses on disability, special needs, adapted activities and rehabilitation.
• Personal and Community Health covers hygiene, health screening, maternal and child health, ageing and community health services.
• Communicable diseases are classified into groups such as air-borne, water-borne, insect-borne, animal-borne and contact diseases.
• Non-communicable diseases include hypertension, sickle cell disease, cancer, epilepsy, ulcer, asthma and diabetes.
• Environmental Health covers housing, water supply, waste disposal, pollution, pest and vector control.
• Family Life and Human Sexuality Education includes family types, reproductive health rights, family planning and healthy family relationships.
• Revise both definitions and practical applications, especially where the syllabus requires comparison, identification, prevention or control.

Frequently Asked Questions

Conclusion

The JAMB Physical and Health Education syllabus 2027/2028 gives you a clear guide to the major areas you need to study for the examination.

It covers Physical Education, Health Education, human anatomy and physiology, sports and games, food and nutrition, physical fitness, recreation, first aid, safety education, sports competitions, personal and community health, diseases, environmental health and family life.

To prepare well, focus on understanding the key concepts, body systems, sports rules, fitness principles, health practices, safety measures and disease prevention methods covered in the syllabus.

You can also use the JAMB Physical and Health Education syllabus PDF as a checklist to track the sections you have completed and the areas that still need more revision.

If you have any questions about the JAMB Physical and Health Education syllabus, leave a comment. You can also share this guide with other students who may find it useful.