The sweet rays of the spring sun flood the sports field. Liu Xinhui, an eleven -year -old student, tried the first time to handle the “ribbons dragon” (a colored dragon -shaped tape), still a little clumsy.
“Before, we only did race and usual exercises during sports lessons and recreation. Now, it’s much more varied and fun!” Tells this pupil of primary school No. 6 of the Kangbashi arrondissement, in Ordos, city of the Autonomous Region of Interior Mongolia (northwest of China).
By dint of training, she begins to take up. The dragon with ribbons becomes more and more “docile” in his hands.
The dragon in ribbons is a traditional sports activity of ordos, but also an essential element of local folk festivals. After an adaptation, this activity was introduced in schools.
Currently, many primary and secondary schools in the country actively explore innovative sports programs, including activities incorporating elements of traditional culture, to enrich school life, perpetuate traditional culture and improve student health.
In recent years, the physical and mental health of the young generation remains one of the priorities of the Chinese government. Measures, such as a physical education and sports course (EPS) per day and at least two hours of outdoor activities, have been set up in the country’s primary and secondary schools.
In addition to the ribbons dragon, Mongolian dance and traditional Mongolian struggle are also practiced by students on the sports field of primary school no 6.
“Last year, my child was overweight. But, since the school introduced traditional sports activities, he was at least two hours of exercise per day. In less than a year, he lost four pounds,” said Zhang Jiahao’s mother, a student of this school.
Since 2024, thanks to the practice of various sports activities, the rate of myopia among the students of the Kangbashi district has dropped by 4%, and the rate of compliance with physical standards amounted to 97.4%.
In the neighboring province of Gansu, the Dunhuang high school spent years associating traditional culture with its sports activities. After continuous improvements, his recreation exercises inspired by traditional Dunhuang dance attract more and more students.
To the sound of traditional Chinese instruments, more than 2,000 high school students gather on the sports field of high school and conscientiously practice these special exercises.
“High school students have a major workload. These exercises can help them evacuate their stress,” said Zhang Mengting, teacher in the establishment’s EPS.
In recent years, the school has also developed martial arts exercises inspired by the culture of Dunhuang to enrich its sports activities.
“These distinct activities promote not only the global development of students, but also reinforce their cultural confidence. We will continue to integrate the culture of Dunhuang into schools,” said Feng Yingchao, director of the education office of the city of Dunhuang.
At the beginning of this year, China unveiled a national plan to build a strong education system by 2035, in order to support its momentum of modernization and its national renewal.
