Policy Implementation Dilemmas And Governance Paths In School Football Pilot Districts From The Perspective Of Smith’s Model

The health of young people is a matter of the future of the country and the nation.However,due to the influence of examination-based education,physical education has long been marginalised within schools due to the fact that intellectual education has been overwhelmed.As a result,the rates of myopia and obesity among children and adolescents are increasing year by year,and the issue of adolescent physical health is becoming increasingly acute.In 2015,the Ministry of Education and six other ministries jointly issued the "Implementation Opinions on Accelerating the Development of School Football for Youth",with the intention of using school football to explore a new way of "educating people through culture and sports",and to promote the physical and mental health of young people by exercising their bodies and refining their wills on the basis of the overall popularity of football.Under the guidance of the policy,school football is flourishing nationwide.However,with the in-depth development of school football,various contradictions and problems have become increasingly prominent,and the implementation of school football policies has become more and more concerned.This paper uses literature,interviews,questionnaires,fieldwork,case studies and logical analysis to analyse the four aspects of idealised policy,implementation agency,target group and resource environment with the help of Smith’s policy implementation process model.The paper covers the following four aspects:the current situation of school football policy implementation in District G of Guizhou Province;the analysis of school football policy implementation dilemmas in District G of Guizhou Province;extra-territorial experiences and insights;and the governance path of policy implementation in school football pilot districts.The following conclusions are drawn on the basis of the above research.(a)A systematic analysis of the current situation of school football policy implementation in District G of Guizhou Province with the help of Smith’s policy implementation process model reveals that in terms of policy formulation,it can better respond to the spirit of the higher level and issue relevant documents to guide the development of school football work;in terms of institutional construction,it organises the establishment of the District G School Football Leading Group and sets up an office under it,which is fully responsible for relevant work;In terms of target groups,there is a positive trend in the level of acceptance of school football policies;In terms of resource protection,emphasis was placed on the construction of school football fields and the allocation of special funds.(b)In Guizhou Province,despite the overall favourable development trend in Zone G,there are still difficulties in policy implementation.The specific manifestations are:(1)The policy itself.The policy content is ambiguous and difficult to operate in practice;the continuity of the policy system is inadequate and the supporting policy guarantee is lacking.(2)Implementation agencies.The implementation mechanism is not sound,specifically the supervision mechanism has not been perfected,the information communication mechanism is still lacking;the authority of the implementing agency is insufficient.(3)Target groups.The short-sighted behaviour of headmasters based on the consideration of compliance gains;parents’ lack of understanding of the depth of the policy;the core interests of football teachers have not yet been implemented;and the low level of participation of student groups.(4)Resources.Insufficient physical and human resources.For example,the allocation of field space is insufficient and single type;uneven investment of funds and inadequate funding mechanism;single management personnel and high proportion of part-time jobs;low proportion of football teachers and coaches among physical education teachers and low level of quality.(c)Through a systematic review of the implementation of school football policies in Japan and the United Kingdom,and taking into account the reality of China,suggestions for reference are put forward:(1)introducing supporting policies and improving the policy system;(2)rationalising the organisation and forming multi-faceted cooperation;(3)transforming the target behaviour and enhancing the vitality of development;(4)opening up financing channels and sustaining the supply of resources.(d)Integrating the previous article’s analysis of the current situation and dilemmas of Guizhou Province’s G-zone,combined with overseas experience,and with the help of Smith’s policy implementation model,the following governance paths are proposed:(1)Governance of the policy itself.Clarify the policy content and strengthen the policy authority;synchronize supporting policies and build a policy system.(2)Governance of implementing agencies.Strengthen organizational attributes and enhance departmental authority;improve operational mechanisms and form a pluralistic governance.(3)Governance of target group factors.Clarify the interests and demands,advocate precise governance;make the policy propaganda,and create a favourable atmosphere.(4)Governance of resource and environmental factors.Improve site facilities to enhance the efficiency of use;broaden funding channels to optimise fund allocation;optimise human resources to strengthen grassroots governance.