Shanghai enhances quality development of PE in schools

Shanghai recently issued a series of measures focusing on key challenges of physical education classes in primary and secondary schools, aiming to establish a long-term mechanism for high-quality development. The measures are designed to ensure daily exercise time, improve the quality of student sports activities, and leverage sports events to promote holistic development.

According to the measures, schools are required to implement two hours of comprehensive physical activities for students each day, primarily within the school premises. This includes approximately 70 minutes of physical education classes, sports activities, and extended breaks, along with at least 40 minutes of physical exercise. Monthly "sports day" events are also encouraged to engage students outdoors under the sun.

"This two-hour period is meant for high-quality exercise, not just for leisurely activities. It should involve sweating. I hope to see children wearing shorts and short sleeves even in winter because genuine high-quality exercise requires sweating, and long pants and sleeves cannot meet children's exercise needs," explained Ji Liu, former dean of the school of physical education and health at East China Normal University.

In addition, Shanghai will guide districts to provide students with sports bracelets to enhance the effectiveness of physical education classes, prevent safety risks, and introduce a variety of sports programs to help students acquire at least two sports skills during their basic education phase.

To expand school-level sports participation beyond the existing city and district sports events, schools are also encouraged to open up their sports events to the community and parents. This move aims to foster a positive and uplifting campus culture.

The measures also emphasize the utilization of on-campus facilities. New schools are required to elevate their standards for sports facility construction. Existing schools are encouraged to creatively maximize space utilization through methods like "skyward expansion" and "multilevel capacity enhancement" to bolster sports facility development. Schools are urged to establish shared mechanisms with nearby public sports venues, creating a "15-minute exercise circle".

Shanghai Jing'an Education College Affiliated School has constructed a 700-square-meter artificial intelligence interactive sports hall. Equipped with immersive sports training systems and multimedia interactive devices, the venue can swiftly transition between various sporting activities like golf, archery and skiing.

"In our physical education classes, we utilize AI technology to group students based on their physical fitness levels. Teachers conduct group training or inter-group competitions, offering personalized guidance to enhance the effectiveness of classroom teaching," said Ni Jiming, principal of the school, adding that all students engage in a half-hour running session on the field every day, with some wearing smart bracelets that allow teachers to adjust workout levels based on individual students' heart rate performances during running.

Xunyang Road Primary School in Putuo district has spent 15 years expanding its underground space by nearly 1,300 square meters and transforming around 150 square meters into a professional-grade rock climbing wall.

"The school's space and curriculum continuously interact, evolve and expand. With increased space, the curriculum naturally diversifies," said Zhu Naimai, principal of Xunyang Road Primary School. The school focuses on team sports projects, with students participating in various sports each year, including soccer, baseball and rock climbing. "Students must complete training in these five team sports projects to graduate. For our elementary students, the primary focus of attending school daily is forming friendships. In this regard, we assist them in mastering a vital lesson -- social interaction."

The measures also call for enhancing physical education teachers by leveraging retired athletes and professional experts in the sports sector, utilizing tools like "AI coaches", and encouraging part-time physical education teachers.

Shanghai will introduce student physical literacy assessments and conduct sports skill level tests. Students with below-average physical health levels or deficiencies in relevant indicators will receive personalized "exercise prescriptions" along with follow-up guidance. Principals and key personnel who are responsible for the inadequate implementation of school sports programs will be interviewed.

Ji highly acknowledges the link between student's physical fitness and school performance. "This implies that principals should place great emphasis on school sports, rather than solely focusing on cultural knowledge learning as they did in the past."