China launches long-term plan to build nationwide network of healthy schools

The Ministry of Education of the People's Republic of China has presented a comprehensive guideline designed to transform schools nationwide into high-quality “healthy schools”, placing physical fitness, mental well-being and nutritional standards at the centre of campus life. The document, released on Friday, outlines a systemic shift aimed at embedding the “health first” principle throughout the education framework.

According to China Daily, a partner of TV BRICS, implementation will proceed in three stages. By 2027, pilot healthy schools are expected to be established, creating replicable models and assessment benchmarks. Broader adoption of the concept is scheduled for completion by 2030, when health education standards are set to cover all schools. The strategy’s final milestone, targeted for 2035, envisages a fully developed network of high-quality, healthy schools across the country.

Daily physical activity will form a core requirement. All primary and secondary school pupils will participate in no fewer than two hours of integrated exercise each day, while campuses must introduce structured 15-minute breaks to support movement and rest. The guideline also calls for strengthened eyesight protection measures, particularly in kindergartens and primary schools, with an emphasis on outdoor activity and safeguarding children’s long-distance vision capacity.

Mental health provision constitutes another key pillar. Authorities plan to establish a national monitoring and early warning system to identify and address psychological concerns at an early stage. In parallel, a dedicated action plan on weight management will promote balanced school meals, closer cooperation between families and schools, and the introduction of tailored exercise programmes combined with dietary guidance. Sun Mingchun, director of the Department of Physical, Health and Arts Education at the Ministry of Education, stated that healthy school development will be integrated into supervision and evaluation systems.