The Ministry of Education has issued a revised scheme for the prevention of short sight in elementary and middle school students.

The scheme, which includes detailed requirements about the amount of homework and even teachers' writing styles, asks schools to introduce "moving and still" activities that involve using the eyes for long and short distances during the day.

It said homework for primary school students should not take more than one hour while children in grades one and two should be free from writing assignments. This is to ensure at least 10 hours' sleep for primary students and eight for middle school pupils. In addition, there should be at least one hour of physical exercise per day.

The scheme was first mapped out by the Ministry of Education in 1988 and this is the first time it has been revised.

Besides two eye tests every year, the scheme also requires schools to arrange seats according to the lighting in the classroom and to adjust the height of seats and desks in line with children's growth.

It gives detailed rules on seating arrangements. For example, the front row should be at least 2 meters from the blackboard while the distance between the last row and the blackboard should be 8 meters at most. The rules also require teachers to pay attention to font size and color and screen contrast if they use Powerpoint in class.

Since 1985, China has carried out four nationwide surveys which have indicated a constant deterioration in the health of young people over the period.

The 2006 survey showed that more than three quarters of senior high students were short sighted. The figure for college students had reached 83 percent.

(Xinhua News Agency September 6, 2008)