China faces shortage of PE teachers amid school exercise drive

Only two PE teachers available to coach 2,600 students in one school, according to Chinese media

Tan Lili, the principal of Shanghai's Baoshan No 2 central primary school, has been wrestling with a problem in recent months: her school does not have enough physical education teachers.

She is not alone. Since China embarked in 2021 on a nationwide campaign to reduce academic pressures on children and increase the amount of active time they spent outdoors, primary and middle schools across the country have been struggling. In one school, according to Chinese media, only two PE teachers are available to coach 2,600 students.