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A bold primary school principal in northern China has abandoned the government’s daily exercise programme and is trying to get his pupils moving with a modern dance routine instead.

Video footage of the 40-year-old principal, Zhang Pengfei – dressed in black and with a microphone in hand – leading his pupils through an energetic shuffle dance routine has been widely circulated online. One clip on Facebook was viewed seven million times in one day.

Along with beaming children, teachers are also seen in the video taking part in the dance workout in front of Xi Guan Primary School in Linyi county, Shanxi province.

Behind them, one of the slogans on the two-storey school building reads: “Enjoy happy education”.

They call the dance guibu, or ghost steps – a shuffle dance incorporating modern jazz steps, with heel-and-toe movements and arm actions.