Competencies of physical education teachers in north-eastern Italy in relation to gender and length of service

Authors

  • Claudia Maulini Dipartimento di Scienze Mediche Motorie e del Benessere; Università degli Studi di Napoli Parthenope (Italy); claudia.maulini@uniparthenope.it https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8649-4755
  • Domenico Tafuri Dipartimento di Scienze Mediche Motorie e del Benessere; Università degli Studi di Napoli Parthenope (Italy); domenico.tafuri@uniparthenope.it https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5948-1414
  • Bojan Leskošek Faculty of Sport; University of Ljubljana (Slovenia); bojan.leskosek@fsp.uni-lj.si https://orcid.org/0009-0005-6425-0601
  • Miloš Tul Liceo Scientifico F. Prešeren (Italy); milos.tul@preseren.edu.it
  • Marjeta Kovač Faculty of Sport; University of Ljubljana (Slovenia); marjeta.kovac@fsp.uni-lj.si

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.7346/-fei-XXIV-01-26_13

Keywords:

Physical education teachers, Self-evaluation, Competencies, Gender, Years of teaching

Abstract

This paper examines the perceived professional competencies of physical education teachers in North-Eastern Italy, focusing on gender and years of service. A sample of 484 teachers completed a 35-item questionnaire covering four areas: teaching methods, general didactic knowledge, socio-cultural aspects, and pedagogical and motivational strategies. Findings reveal significant differences: teachers with less than 10 years of service perceive themselves as more competent in methodological skills; female teachers report greater confidence in pedagogical and motivational strategies, while male teachers consider themselves stronger in methodological, didactic, and socio-cultural dimensions. The evidence highlights the need to rethink both initial and in-service training, promoting critical, inclusive, and socially aware educational pathways able to respond to the challenges of contemporary physical education.

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Warm modernist illustration with geometric figures of physical education teachers, abstract competency quadrants, research-like dots and bars, and a stylized map of North-Eastern Italy. Coral, cream, aubergine, crimson, and muted teal shapes suggest teaching, movement, comparison, and inclusive professional development.

Published

2026-02-28

How to Cite

Maulini, C., Tafuri, D., Leskošek, B., Tul, M., & Kovač, M. (2026). Competencies of physical education teachers in north-eastern Italy in relation to gender and length of service. Formazione & Insegnamento, 24(1), 112–119. https://doi.org/10.7346/-fei-XXIV-01-26_13

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