Campaigner blasts Wii in schools "gimmick"

Any plans by the Department of Health to introduce Wii consoles in schools to help prevent obesity have been branded a "gimmick" by education campaigners.

The DoS has endorsed a scheme by the Droitwich and Worcester City School Sport Partnership which encouraged children to play Wii games in an effort to improve attitude, behaviour and attendance in schools.

But Nick Seaton, chairman of the Campaign for Real Education has blasted the idea, saying students would be better off taking part in competitive sports rather than playing consoles during school time.

"It looks like another gimmick. It's pandering to the views of the physically idle," said Seaton, reports Channel 4.

"Pupils would be far better doing serious competitive sports and games than this sort of thing," he said.

However, the government has been encouraged by the trial scheme which is sees as an innovative way of promoting healthy lifestyles to students.

"We welcome the positive impact that innovations like these can have as a first step towards getting people to participate in a broader range of physical activities and to enjoy the many benefits of a physically active lifestyle," said a spokesperson for the Department of Health.