More calligraphy teachers and better textbooks are needed to ensure primary and high schools hold classes on the subject once a week, experts said.

"Despite calligraphy being a required course at primary and middle schools, barely any school can find enough teachers," said Zhang Gaiqin, a Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference member and deputy head of the China Calligraphers' Association.

"The lack of qualified calligraphy teachers and teaching material has hindered the teaching of calligraphy."