Beijing offers soccer subsidies for primary school students

The Beijing Municipal Commission of Education is moving to improve physical education in primary schools by introducing a weekly soccer class, financial aid, and an optional soccer exam, the Beijing Youth Daily reported.

Primary schools in Beijing will be requested to offer a class on soccer at least once a week and appoint college professors or professional soccer coaches to aid in teaching. The city government will also provide subsidies to students in grades three to six to take soccer lessons at designated sports clubs. By 2016, students will be able to choose to take a test on soccer for the physical education section of their high school entrance exams.