Shaolin Kung Fu will be one of the compulsory classes in some Chinese middle schools in Henan Province, which boasts of the famed Shaolin Temple, local newspaper reported.

Starting from this autumn semester, middles schools in Dengfeng city will offer Shaolin Kung Fu in their PE classes, Henan Daily said.

"Dengfeng trained over 90 PE teachers in martial arts during summer vacation and the training finished on Sunday. Teachers hope that Kung Fu can arouse students interests in exercise," it said, adding that elementary schools will be included in the program soon.

Dengfeng, the birthplace of Shaolin Kung Fu, is dubbed homeland of the Chinese martial arts. There are more than 80 martial clubs and schools with about 50,000 students.

Dengfeng locates south to Song Mountain where there is the world-renowned Shaolin Temple.

(Xinhua News Agency August 1, 2006)