LOCAL schools that have implemented a city government policy to open their sports facilities to the public have been vocal about problems they say have arisen from a lack of detailed regulations on how the plan should work, namely in regards to operation costs, safety risks and liability, Shenzhen Economic Daily reported.

    The city’s 202 public primary and middle schools have opened their sports facilities to the public as of Jan. 1, in line with requirements by the city’s promotion of its public fitness program. The regulation requires all non-boarding public primary and middle schools in Shenzhen to open their sports facilities to the public for at least two hours outside of class hours on school days and at least eight hours on weekends, holidays and during summer and winter vacations.

    Various problems have ensued and schools are saying they’re under more pressure now.

    Zhang Ximing, director of Huaqiang Vocational and Technical School, said that last weekend a citizen got into a fight with the school’s security guard after he was denied entry because he had a dog with him.

    The vice principal of the junior department of Luohu Foreign Languages School, Zheng Guolin, said that the school’s administrative staff continually dissuades people from taking their pets onto campus, but some residents have snuck their pets inside anyway. “The pets’ excrements make our cleaning staff’s jobs more difficult,” Zheng said. He also worries that schools may have to shoulder responsibility for injuries resulting from pets’ getting into fights.

    Zheng said his school, which opens its sports facilities until 10 p.m. on school days and from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. on weekends, has seen a sharp rise in cost of maintenance and will have to replace old facilities.

    Yantian District Education Bureau’s detailed rules for the implementation say that schools will be subsidized by the local fiscal budget to cover expenses arising from opening their sports facilities, such as daily maintenance, repair, insurance and administrative costs. Yet so far the bureau hasn’t been specific about any plans for how they will make room for this in their budget.

    A school spokesperson said that expenses from opening sports facilities would amount to a few ten thousand yuan each year, taking into consideration the costs of lighting and overtime payments for security guards and cleaners.

    Some schools have chosen to charge for use of some facilities to subsidize their rising operation costs, but the practice is unregulated and costs vary.

    Liu Hai’an, principal of Taoyuan Middle School, which charges half the market price for use of their facilities, said he hopes the government will create a standard charge to take less pressure off the school’s administration.

    Safety problems are also a big concern voiced by school leaders, who worry that schools will be forced to take responsibility for any injuries that happen on their premises.

    Ke Jianlin, principal of Xiasha Primary School, is concerned that more physical sports may lead to conflicts, which he says would be difficult for the school to keep from happening.

    Zhang Ximin from Huaqiang Vocation and Technical School said many vulnerable seniors with babies have also started coming to their facilities. He worries they might get hit by basketballs, soccer balls, or other equipment.

    Yantian District’s regulation also states that the schools should purchase public liability insurance policies, but so far, few schools have done so because their duties are vaguely defined.

    “We agree that it would be good for schools to contribute to improving public fitness levels by opening their sports facilities. But we hope the government can issue a detailed policy concerning the implementation, so that we can be sure we are following the rules,” said Zheng Guolin from Luohu Foreign Languages School. “Meanwhile, the local government’s resources for sports should also be utilized for the public’s benefit and to relieve the burden placed on schools.” (Anna Zhao)