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Hello.
Welcome to Roundtable, where we serve up piping hot debates on the issues that sizzle in China and beyond.
I'm Yehonglin.
Do you recall the bygone days when the sports classes were much anticipated by students, yet were often a rare treat, vanishing at the first sign of a PE teacher.
In many cities, including Beijing, Shanghai, and most recently, Shenzhen, a bold stride has been transforming the once norm, promising students the joy of physical education every single day.
For Todays show, Im joined by Li Ming in the studio and Steve Hatherley on the line.
Now grab your virtual compass and follow us to the heart of the discussion.
Recently, an eye catching shift in Shenzhen is underfoot, transforming the very fabric of school life.
Many say the citys new mandate for daily physical education classes is not merely a schedule change, but a bold reimagining of student well being.
So, Lai Ming, can you give us some details about the actual policies and tell us why this sudden emphasis on campus PE classes?
Sure.
Starting from January 1, 2024, and effective for five years, all schools under compulsory education, meaning grade one through nine, are supposed to have one PE lesson every day.
And also high supposed to have at least three PE lessons every week.
For students in junior and high schools, they are supposed to have no less than 30 minutes engaged in sports activities.
So that's the current situation in Shenzhen.
Not just in Shenzhen.
In fact, since two years ago in the year 2021, some parts of the country have already started encouraging schools to have one PE lesson every day.
And sometimes in Shanghai, sometimes in Beijing.