China's national soccer team has not been faring well, pushing the government to pass the soccer reform plan. (Photo : Reuters)
The first textbooks to guide Chinese schools on primary and high school soccer are ready to be rolled out by April. The textbooks are designed to be applied across schools in a bid to revive football.
According to Wei Yunhua, manager of the publishing company People's Education Press, the books that would be used in Chinese schools in September to teach students football may be launched soon.
"We'll finish compiling the textbooks at the end of March and the matching audiovisual products will also be available at the same time," he shared.
Wei added that the books were produced to meet the demands of the market, and more importantly, to aid an ongoing school program being supported by the State Council and the Ministry of Education (MOE).
Along with other five central government departments, the MOE launched a school soccer leading group to facilitate efforts to make sure that soccer as a sport would start thriving across Chinese schools again.
Around 20,000 primary and middle schools would be chosen to incorporate the sport in their curriculum by 2017.
"Some of the selected schools will use our material, and we think good quality books will help win the market," said Wang.
Although sports are hardly learned through books, these textbooks are expected to be helpful because they use 3D image technology to demonstrate soccer moves and strategies.
In addition, students can also access the necessary videos demonstrating the soccer skills just by scanning the two-dimensional codes in the books using their smartphones.
There would be four books for students spanning from the third grade to high school. There would be another three books designed for the teachers.
According to the director of the PEP Editorial Department, Chen Keqi, the books would be both practical and interesting.
