Ministry warns schools not to cut physical education classes

The Ministry of Education has launched a "health first" initiative, vowing to crack down on schools that cut physical education classes or confine students indoors during breaks, as new data shows significant improvements in student fitness over the past decade.

At a meeting held in Beijing on Wednesday, officials of the ministry announced that all provincial regions have now implemented policies ensuring primary and secondary school students receive at least two hours of daily physical activity, including a 15-minute break between classes.

The ministry highlighted substantial growth in the teaching workforce, with the number of physical education and arts teachers in compulsory education increasing by 71.6 percent and 60.9 percent, respectively, compared to 2012.

According to the 2024 national student physical health survey, the overall excellence rate of physical health among students of all levels has increased by 9.3 percentage points since 2016.

In the battle against myopia, the national student myopia rate has declined for four consecutive years from 2021 to 2024, reaching 50.3 percent in 2024. This meets the target of a 0.5 percentage point annual reduction.

Furthermore, food safety management in schools has been tightened, with 99.9 percent of schools now covered by an online surveillance system for school kitchens.

Looking ahead to 2026, the ministry will intensify efforts to strengthen students' physique, with a particular focus on kindergartens and primary schools. Measures will include guaranteeing outdoor activity time, limiting electronic device usage, and improving classroom lighting to alleviate eye strain.

The ministry explicitly warned against "fake curricula" where schools do not follow set class schedules. It also vowed to strictly investigate any behavior that encroaches on PE classes or prevents students from leaving the classroom during breaks.