Several primary and secondary schools in Shanghai have banned students wearing Heelys - a cross between running shoes and roller skates - on school property.

"The shoes will possibly create hidden dangers for students," said Li Meizhen, headmaster at Jing'an Foreign Language School.

Jing'an is among the first batch of local schools to ban the shoes after officials found a growing number of students were wearing them when they returned to classes this week following the winter break.

While local education officials can't say how many schools in Shanghai have a similar ban, a couple of local schools have also expressed their intention to stop students wearing the shoes.

School officials said students will probably be asked to go home and change shoes if they are found violating the rule.

The shoes, which originated in the United States, allow wearers to walk normally or roll along on a single wheel imbedded in the heel. To brake, wearers simply put pressure on the front of their foot. The wheels can also be removed.

"Unlike wearing ordinary shoes, students in Heelys will easily lose their balance, especially when climbing stairs," said Li. "That could seriously injure them and trouble the school."

Last Saturday, an 11-year-old boy broke his left leg while trying a pair of Heelys at a local department store.

Doctors said the boy needs to stay in bed for at least two months, meaning he will probably miss his important middle school entrance exam, the Shanghai Morning Post reported.

"The shoe is so cute. It makes me feel cool to walk and skate on the ground at will," said Wang Wenjia, 12.

Wang said that he asked his mother for a pair after noticing many of his classmates were wearing them when they returned to school on Friday to get books for the new semester.

Sales people at the Westgate Mall on Nanjing Road said they have sold more than 180 pairs of the roller shoes during the past three weeks.

(eastday.com February 11, 2004)