E China province honors rural teachers

More than 50,000 teachers with over 20 years of service in rural parts of east China's Jiangxi Province were honored at an awarding ceremony on Wednesday, the eve of National Teachers' Day.

The provincial education bureau gave certificates to the teachers, most of whom struggle with a lack of resources in their remote outposts. "This is to pay our respect to those who selflessly dedicate themselves to education in the countryside," said bureau official Cheng Yuqiu.

"It is the best acknowledgment of my work," said Li Yucai, the only teacher for about 10 students at Gaoyang School in Niwan Village of Tanying City.

Li, 59, has taught in Niwan village since he was 20 years old. In a story typical of the education gap between urban and rural China, he has witnessed a flow of teachers and students away from the village to larger townships.

A similar situation is found at the school in Sanwan Village of Wuning County, where student numbers have decreased from 100 to 10 in 10 years. Lack of teachers is the main cause.

Chinese Premier Li Keqiang on Tuesday met with model urban and rural teachers, commending the dedication of China's 3.3 million rural teachers while promising more government support for their schools.

This followed a State Council plan published in June to target the problem. It called for new channels for recruiting village teachers, and better living standards and pay once they are in the jobs.

"More spiritual and material rewards should be given to rural teachers to attract more people to stay," said Ye Rensun, director of the Jiangxi education bureau. Endi