Principal Yang Lifeng works tirelessly for the future of rural education

On September 6, when the reporter arrived at Guizhuang Primary School in Jiantou Township, Xincai County, it was already 9 p.m. Principal Yang Lifeng was not there; he had gone to the home of student Li Yu for a home visit and had not yet returned.

"It is thanks to this earnest dedication of Lao Yang that this teaching point has developed so well," said a staff member of the Xincai County Education and Sports Bureau.

Guizhuang Primary School is located in a remote corner of Xincai County, and a few years ago it had fewer than 20 students. When Yang Lifeng was assigned to this teaching point in September 2009, the scene before him was completely unexpected: 12 old brick-and-tile houses were in a state of dilapidation, and standing in the classroom, one could look up and see the sky. The school's perimeter wall had collapsed in many places, leaving gaps that could be stepped over with a single stride.

Yang Lifeng discussed with the school's teachers: if the school is to develop, it must first change its appearance, and we must use the school's limited funds to improve conditions for running the school. He took the lead by example, guiding all the faculty and staff to patch the roofs, strip the wall plaster, repair desks and stools, and rebuild the perimeter wall, giving the school a completely new look.

Yang Lifeng also led the teachers in using their spare time to paint fresh designs on the school's perimeter wall. The content included many elements such as hygiene, love of learning, and civility.

"These paintings make our walls speak," said one teacher. The content on the walls subtly guides students toward health and positivity, and also makes everyone who walks into the campus look twice.

The campus became beautiful, which retained teachers and also attracted more students. Now the school has more than 100 students. That a village teaching point has grown to such a scale makes many local educators give a thumbs-up.

Yang Lifeng loves his students as if they were his own children. There was a child named Gui Jiaxin, whose limbs were disabled and who could not walk, but who longed deeply to study. When Gui Jiaxin reached school age, Yang Lifeng did not hesitate to take in this special student. When Gui Jiaxin was at school, Yang Lifeng personally cared for him, carrying him to the toilet on his back and helping him pull up his trousers, and he did this for four years.

In just a few years, Yang Lifeng turned this teaching point into a "famous school." The class he led ranked among the top in the entire township in terms of performance, and won first prize in the county-wide high-quality lesson competition. Yang Lifeng also repeatedly received honorary titles such as outstanding teacher of the county.

"For the future of rural education, I am willing to keep striving here all along," said 39-year-old Yang Lifeng. Reporter Yang Wandong