Investigated and Studied the Core Literacy of Physical Education Students in Higher Vocational Colleges in Fujian Province

Background and Aim: In recent years, the concept of “core literacy” has played an essential role in the educational reform of teacher training in China. However, the specific characteristics and structure of core literacy among students majoring in physical education (PE) in higher vocational colleges have not been clearly defined. This study aims to explore the current status, structure, and development strategies of core literacy among PE students in Fujian Province. The study addresses an important gap in aligning vocational PE education with national educational goals and competency-based training. Materials and Methods: The study employed a mixed-methods approach that included a literature review, expert interviews, questionnaire surveys, and statistical analysis. The target population consisted of 950 junior students majoring in physical education from five higher vocational colleges in Fujian Province, representing both public and private institutions. Data were collected using structured questionnaires and expert interviews, and analyzed using NVivo 12 for qualitative coding and AMOS for model validation. Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) and Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA) were used to develop and validate the structure of core literacy. Conclusion: The results suggest that while students perform relatively well in sportsmanship and health promotion, they demonstrate weaker competence in teaching practice. This highlights the need for targeted interventions such as practical teaching opportunities, internships, and reflective learning activities to strengthen pedagogical skills. The validated model can serve as a reference for curriculum reform and evaluation in PE teacher training programs in vocational settings.