A national survey on the well-being of Chinese secondary school students has shown that their physical conditions are poor due to a lack of exercise.

The survey shows that half of the students have high blood pressure and the number of overweight students is double that from five years ago.

The survey was conducted by the Ministry of Education, Ministry of Health, and State Sports Administration.

It also indicates a physical decline in vital capacity, speed and strength while heights and weights continue on an upward curve.

The Beijing Municipal Commission of Education says elementary and secondary students in Beijing have on average more than eight classes a day, double the amount of class hours allowed by state regulations.

"More than 60 percent of head teachers of elementary and secondary schools in Beijing admit that the students are overloaded with school work and many schools cannot let students have physical education every day," said Du Songpeng, deputy director of the commission.

Some schools cancel sports events they think are too dangerous in order to avoid accidents, which makes it difficult to improve the physical condition of the students, Du said.

The commission has ordered schools to set aside sufficient time for physical exercise, which will be listed as one of the evaluation criteria of a school's overall performance, he said.

(Xinhua News Agency June 12, 2006)