(Photo: Xinhua)

The myopia rate of primary and middle school students in China rose by 11.7 percent in the first half of the year, said China’s Ministry of Education on Thursday at a press conference.

The data come from a survey conducted by the ministry on the eyesight change of primary and middle school students in 9 provincial-level regions during the COVID-19 pandemic. According to Wang Dengfeng, an official from the ministry, the result of the survey is “not optimistic.”

The rise of the myopia rate is related to online study during the epidemic. “Watching videos through electronic screens has a direct impact on eyesight,” said Wang.

The ministry will take measures to solve the problem reflected by the survey. “The length of time spent on online study should be controlled,” Wang said, adding that there should be no more than two hours of online study for primary school students, three hours for junior high school students, and four hours for senior high school students.

Wang also emphasized the importance of physical exercise. He suggested that students should have at least one hour of outdoor activities and physical exercise every day after class.

In addition, the myopia rate of students will be considered as an important indicator to measure local governments’ performance, said Wang.

(Compiled by Huang Yuzhang)