The Ministry of Education has allowed the resumption physical education and art classes in schools, the ministry’s Secretary General Najwa Qubeilat said in a statement.

The ministry on Sunday decided to amend this year’s plan, which has been tailored for a post-COVID-19 world, and allowed to resume physical education and art classes, with certain conditions.

"Physical education classes must not be given in closed areas, but rather in an open space with a physical distance of two metres between each student,” added Qubeilat.

Amr Najeb, a physical education teacher in a private school in Amman, said that the resumption of sports activities can "contribute significantly to reducing stress and anxiety during these difficult times”.

Najeb added that some students "look disoriented” ever since their return, either because of "fears of catching the virus, stress caused by a financial situation at home or a result of last semester’s abrupt interruption of classes”.

Sports can help students cope with the stress and anxiety caused by the pandemic, said Najeb citing studies.

Qubeilat said that the study plan’s amendment is in its final stages, as the ministry is working on redistributing class shares. The new plan will be given to schools on Sunday.

Art teachers also welcomed the decision. Linda Rkeibat, an art and skills teacher in a private school, said that besides reducing students’ stress, art classes are "particularly important to art-driven students”.

Some students struggle with academic subjects but thrive in art classes, and for some students art classes are "an escape”, Rkeibat told The Jordan Times over the phone.

She recalled that a student, who was failing maths at the time, told her that "the only time I do not feel like a failure is during the art class”.