Shandong province will make students' performance in physical education a part of their regimen to succeed in the national college entrance examination from next year. The announcement has made students sweat it out on campuses. But simply coupling physical education with the national college entrance examination will not help improve students' physical health in the short run, says an article in Qilu Evening News. Excerpts:

Statistics show that since 1985, the physical health of elementary and secondary school as well as college students has been on the decline. Elementary and secondary school students face problems of over-nutrition and obesity, too. Plus, eye problems have increased among all age groups.

China's GDP in 2010 was more than 40 times that of 1985, a stunning economic growth rate by any standards.

But that has failed to improve the physical health of the younger generation.

An important reason for that is the pressure of the college entrance examination, to succeed in which students in Shandong used to skip physical educations classes. Among the other reasons for the falling health of students are indulgent parents who try to keep their children away from physical exertion. Also, the Internet has distracted students away from outdoor activities.

Shandong can use the new policy to compel students to exercise.

But the underlying motive of such a move should be to make schools, students and parents realize that physical exercise will do more than just help the students pass exams. Only then can students achieve mental and physical excellence.