Beijing increases PE time to foster healthy students

Beijing will improve both the duration and quality of physical education in primary and secondary schools, according to an official announcement released on Monday.

The announcement, issued jointly by the Beijing Municipal Commission of Education and the Beijing Sports Bureau, mandates that all primary and middle school students take at least one physical education class per day. High school students will have three to five classes per week, with no fewer than 45 minutes of daily physical exercise on days without physical education.

The measures include eight specific initiatives aimed at prioritizing students' health and reinforcing the value of physical education in developing well-rounded individuals.

Previously, first and second graders in Beijing had four PE classes per week, third to ninth graders had three and high school students had two.

"The increased time will help students develop sports skills, cultivate exercise habits, improve physical fitness and enhance mental well-being," said Liu Haiyuan, secretary-general of the Beijing School Physical Education Teaching Steering Committee, which was established this month.

The measures also outline changes to the curriculum. Primary and middle schools must include at least one of three major ball sports in their mandatory PE classes. High schools should offer modular instruction in these sports. Schools specializing in ice and snow sports should integrate those activities into their syllabuses.

To ensure effective physical education, the announcement emphasizes the importance of avoiding theoretical or "no-sweat" lessons. Schools are encouraged to allocate sufficient time for active participation.

Under these initiatives, students are expected to master at least two sports skills by the end of their nine-year compulsory education. Schools should also introduce class-level sports competitions to promote engagement in various athletic activities.

These measures align with China's broader educational goals.

In January, the Communist Party of China Central Committee and the State Council jointly released a road map for the country's educational development from 2024 to 2035, which calls for primary and middle school students to engage in at least two hours of physical activity per day.

In response, cities such as Tianjin and provinces such as Hunan and Hebei have implemented a minimum of two hours of daily exercise for students this spring semester.

Beijing has already adjusted class intervals from 10 to 15 minutes since last fall, and other regions, including Jiangsu and Hunan provinces, are extending class intervals in the upcoming semester as well.

Beijing's measures also focus on improving the quality of instruction. Training programs will be introduced for PE teachers, and their compensation will be enhanced.

The announcement plans to strengthen collaboration between sports schools and general schools. Coaches at sports schools and retired athletes will offer specialized training for students and PE teachers, and more than 10 champion-led campus sports events will be held annually across Beijing's districts.

In January, the Ministry of Education issued new guidelines to bolster the physical education workforce. Schools are now required to maintain a class-to-teacher ratio lower than five classes per teacher in primary schools, six in middle schools and eight in high schools.

"The eight initiatives represent a more precise approach to physical education, expanding participation to all students," said Wang Pan, spokesperson for the Beijing Municipal Commission of Education.

Li Shangyi contributed to this story.