Summary:
Hao Ping, China's Vice Minister of Education, discussed health education at a recent conference. He commented on four reforms to improve the health of students:

1. Increasing the number of physical education (PE) classes
2. Promotion of health education in schools
3. Stimulation of innovation in school sports, particularly in regards to campus football
4. Enhancing co-ordination between different government departments in areas such as disease prevention, nutrition etc.

These reforms are linked to the recently released “Healthy China 2030” blueprint, aimed at promoting people's health in the coming 15 years. The Ministry of Education’s support for this plan will include integration of health education into the curriculum at all levels of education, reform of school sports, cross-sectoral action in the field of school health promotion, and working with the international community in relevant exchanges and cooperation.

Other areas covered by the Healthy China 2030 blueprint include public health services, environment management, the medical industry, and food and drug safety. Its overall aim is to increase average life expectancy to 79 years by 2030, up from the current 76.3.

According to the Plan, with primary and secondary schools as the focus, health education will be carried out with combined approaches of classroom teaching and extracurricular practice, as well as regular promotions to raise general awareness. Content related to health education will be added into the teacher training modules for pre- and post-service of PE teachers.

The Plan also outlines the implementation of “Project for Promoting Youth Sports Activities” to cultivate young people's sports hobbies – students should acquire skills in at least one sport and spend at least one hour in daily physical activity. The goals for school sports include 100 per cent of schools having adequate sports facilities and equipment, while young students should participate in sports activities with moderate intensity at least three times a week. At least 25% of students should meet the standards for ‘excellent’ health and fitness.

Analysis by Kevin Prest and Xiaoxiao Liu:
As the policy calls for an increase in the number of PE classes, this will lead to increased demand for PE teachers, especially at the primary and secondary schools. This will likely increase demand for PE teacher training in general, and the policy also calls for increased training on health education for these teachers.

Sources:
1. The "Healthy China 2030" full text (Chinese): http://www.gov.cn/zhengce/2016-10/25/content_5124174.htm
2. http://www.moe.edu.cn/jyb_xwfb/s6052/moe_838/201610/t20161026_286160.ht…
3. http://en.nhfpc.gov.cn/2016-11/22/c_70674.htm