Pollution keeps students off exercise track

HONG KONG'S worsening air pollution is threatening to choke the life out of outdoor physical activities at schools.

Since the beginning of the current term last September, Hong Kong's schools have been notified by the Education Department to pay attention to the high pollution index as many as 10 times.

The latest warnings went out last week when the street-level air pollution index reached 162 on Tuesday and a record 174 on Wednesday in Central.

Environmental officials say when the street-level index is above 100 people with heart or respiratory illnesses should avoid prolonged stays in areas with heavy traffic, and if necessary to reduce physical exertion.

Education chiefs say schools should decide for themselves whether certain students should be taken out of physical education lessons or if all PE lessons should be cancelled on days when the street-level index tops 100.

However, if the index rises above 200 points, schools must cancel all outdoor activities.

The deputy head of the Department of Physical Education and Sports Science at the Hong Kong Institute of Education, Dr Liu Yuk-kwong, said pollution further reduced the opportunities for students to exercise, and also that there were limited venues for sports.

'Poor air quality makes it uncomfortable for both teachers and students to do PE lessons, during summer in particular,' Dr Liu said.

'Some teachers spend the cancelled classes talking about air pollution instead.'