Exploring the Condition of Sports Facilities and Their Influence on Physical Education Learning in Indonesian Junior High Schools

Abstract

Background: The effectiveness of physical education in schools is strongly tied to the adequacy of sports facilities. However, limited resources in many Indonesian junior high schools often restrict learning opportunities, pushing teachers to adapt through creative practices.

Aims: This study investigates the current state of sports facilities in public junior high schools and examines how their availability and condition influence the delivery of physical education.

Methods: Using a descriptive qualitative approach, data were gathered from five public junior high schools in Purbalingga, Central Java. Information was collected through document analysis, direct observation, and teacher questionnaires. Both numerical data on the adequacy of facilities and descriptive accounts of teacher-driven modifications were analyzed to provide a comprehensive view.

Results: Overall, the schools possessed facilities that could be categorized as moderately sufficient to support instruction. Certain equipment aligned with expected standards, while others were lacking in quality and quantity. Teachers compensated for these shortcomings by creating modified tools—such as bamboo hurdles, cloth bundles as shot puts, or improvised relay batons—which proved effective in sustaining student participation and meeting instructional goals despite spatial and material constraints.

Conclusion: Adequate facilities remain an essential foundation for quality physical education, yet teacher ingenuity can mitigate some of the challenges posed by limited infrastructure. Supporting both the provision of proper facilities and the development of teacher creativity is vital to strengthening physical education in Indonesian junior high schools.