Fuzhou has allocated 5.19 million yuan this year to upgrade classroom lighting equipment in 13 municipal schools.

On the 5th, reporters learned from the Standing Committee of the Fuzhou Municipal People's Congress that, in response to the "Several Suggestions on Strengthening Myopia Prevention and Control among Adolescents" proposed by representatives such as Weng Shenghe, the municipal government has required the Municipal Education Bureau and the Municipal Health Commission to sign the "Fuzhou City Responsibility Statement for Comprehensive Strengthening of Myopia Prevention and Control among Children and Adolescents" with the governments of all counties (cities) and districts, further consolidating responsibility for myopia prevention and control.

In accordance with the daylighting and lighting standards for school construction, a total of 5.19 million yuan has been allocated this year to upgrade the classroom lighting equipment in 13 municipal schools, further enhancing myopia prevention and control among children and adolescents in Fuzhou.

In previous recommendations, representatives stated that in recent years, the myopia rate among children and adolescents has remained high due to factors such as increased academic burden inside and outside school, the widespread use of electronic products, excessive and unhygienic eye use, and a lack of physical exercise and outdoor activities.

"If we do not effectively prevent and control myopia, children's myopia may quickly progress to high myopia. Wearing glasses not only affects physical activity but also restricts the choice of many majors during college entrance examinations." Representatives put forward targeted suggestions focusing on strengthening the responsibilities of government departments, reinforcing the duties of school teachers, and increasing public science education efforts.

As the lead agency for this proposal, the Fuzhou Municipal Education Bureau, in coordination with the Municipal Health Commission, the Municipal Market Supervision Administration, and the Municipal Civil Affairs Bureau, carried out thorough implementation. It is reported that Fuzhou established a Leading Group for Comprehensive Prevention and Control of Myopia in Children and Adolescents last year. Relevant municipal departments also jointly conducted a citywide survey on myopia among children and adolescents in 2019, covering 30,500 students from 102 primary and secondary schools and kindergartens across the city. The survey found that the myopia rate among children and adolescents in Fuzhou was 53.0% in 2019, providing a basis for implementing comprehensive intervention measures and performance evaluation. The municipal finance department also funded the replacement of desks, chairs, and classroom lighting products, significantly improving the visual environment in schools.

This year, in response to representatives' suggestions, the signed "Responsibility Statement for Comprehensive Prevention and Control of Myopia among Children and Adolescents in Fuzhou City" clearly establishes a baseline myopia rate of 53.0% for children and adolescents. Starting this year, counties (cities) and districts with myopia rates above the baseline must reduce them by 1% annually, while those at or below the baseline must reduce them by 0.5% annually.

The responsibility statement clearly specifies that visual health shall be incorporated into quality education, and an evaluation and assessment system for myopia prevention and control among children and adolescents at this level shall be established. Annual evaluations and assessments of the local people's governments' myopia prevention and control work for children and adolescents within this administrative area shall be conducted, with the results made public.

The Fuzhou Municipal Education Bureau plans to build a vision health management platform for primary and secondary schools in Fuzhou, establish electronic health records for students' vision, and issue prevention and control warnings to classes, schools, and counties (cities) or districts with high myopia rates. Meanwhile, based on this platform, student myopia prevention and control work will be incorporated into the assessment criteria for school management, teacher management, and class management.

In response to the issues raised by representatives, such as excessive academic workload, overuse of electronic devices, and insufficient physical activity, the Municipal Education Bureau will further implement measures to reduce the burden on primary and secondary school students, provide scientific guidance on the proper use of electronic devices, strengthen physical exercise for students, and adopt multiple measures to prevent myopia in children and adolescents.

Source: Fuzhou News Network