New Beijing policy champions mind-body wellness of students

BEIJING -- Beijing on Tuesday introduced a sweeping new initiative to address the holistic development of primary and secondary school students, emphasizing the inseparable link between physical and mental well-being.

The policy, structured into five sections with 20 measures, focuses on integrating moral, intellectual, physical, aesthetic and labor education while strengthening students' relationships with peers, teachers and parents, according to the Beijing Municipal Education Commission.

It marks the first time Beijing has explicitly tied physical health outcomes -- such as reducing myopia, obesity and spinal issues -- to psychological resilience, advocating synchronized growth in both areas.

Key measures include required participation in at least one school club or interest group, designated "teacher-student dialogue days," and a push for parents to engage in daily 15-minute conversations and one-hour activities with their children.

Schools are encouraged to organize more team sports like football and basketball to build perseverance, while public areas will feature psychological support corners and stress-relief facilities.

The plan also outlines shared responsibilities across society. Professional social workers and volunteers will assist in health education, while authorities pledge stricter oversight of online content and screen time through collaborative "screen-free campaigns" between students and parents.

Notably, Beijing will implement a three-tier evaluation system at city, district and school levels to track progress using data on physical fitness, mental health trends, and disease prevention, hoping the data-driven approach will help refine prevention and interventions, and ensure policy effectiveness.

The latest move followed Beijing's previous reforms like 15-minute classroom breaks and guaranteed daily sports classes, underscoring the city's commitment to prioritizing health in education. The education commission described the policy as a pioneering effort to establish a "Beijing model" for promoting well-rounded development of students.