Law passed mandating Georgia schools to allow recess for students K-5

GEORGIA — Georgia schools will be required to allow students to have recess next year as it is now state law.

Under current state law, schools are only required to offer recess once a week.

Now, it must be offered everyday.

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Channel 2′s Richard Elliot caught up with parent Rashad Ferguson and his 3-year-old daughter Lola as they were playing on a swing set at a local park.

Ferguson said he believes recess is equally as important to kids as classwork.

“I think every child should be able to take a break from the classroom and be able to have a little fun, and you know, be able to be a child,” Ferguson said.

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Lawmaker Demetrius Douglas is a former University of Georgia and NFL football player who said Georgia has to combat childhood obesity.

Douglas worked for six years to have the bill passed and it was initially approved, but was later vetoed.

The bill says Georgia schools must offer recess everyday for kids in grades Kindergarten through 5th grade.

Douglas says it is not only for the physical activity, but for the social interaction, as well as combating an obesity problem.

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“It was 17-point something before the pandemic, and I just got the new data. It’s up to 20-point something, so I figured we have to get these kids moving again,” Douglas said.

Lochie Torres took his son Lucca to Stockbridge Playground and says it’s odd that recess is required, but believes it is important to the health of children.

“I find it strange that there needs to be a law for recess,” Torres said. “However, in our society, we tend to follow the rules and guidelines and everything is in order. It just gives them a chance to be children.”

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