Following parents' complaints, Shanghai is giving its 2 million schoolchildren a bit of a break from new rules issued by the Ministry of Education requiring daily long-distance runs.
Some local kids will be allowed to substitute other activities like skipping rope or dribbling basketballs, and those who do jog can spread their daily requirements over shorter segments.
Under the national campaign, students from grade five through college are required to run at least 1 kilometer a day from October 26 through April 30 in a bid to improve their physical fitness.
A detailed plan for implementing the state's winter campaign was released by the Shanghai Education Commission yesterday, and it appears to reflect complaints from parents and some doctors.
The local rules state that schools with limited space for long-distance running can substitute jogging for skipping rope, kicking shuttlecocks, gym-type aerobics or basketball relays. And for all others, shorter runs can be added up to meet the overall distance requirements.
Lu Dajing, an associate professor at the Shanghai University of Sport, noted that there's a wide disparity in physical conditioning among schoolchildren, and the new plan should ease parental concerns that their kids might not be fit enough for long runs.
"Depending on their physiques, students can make up their own running schedule," Lu said. "For example, a student can divide the distance into three parts and run in the morning, afternoon and after school in their communities. It's flexible."
Lu warned parents to make sure they keep an eye on their children while they run in their neighborhoods.
"The campaign is aimed at cultivating a sports habit among students and improving their physical strength and willpower," said Ping Jie, head of the sports, health and arts education department of the Shanghai Education Commission.
