Back to School in Quake Zone

The Sichuan Provincial government expects school buildings that collapsed during the May 12 Wenchuan earthquake in 2008 to be fully rebuilt by September.

As part of our special series “Wenchuan 3 Years On”, CCTV reporter Han Bin returns to speak to a student and a schoolmaster he first met soon after the quake struck and gets their thoughts, three years after their lives were changed forever.

In a remote mountain village, Zhang Zhengliang is teaching in a primary school, one of the poorest in China.

He came here voluntarily after graduation.

Zhang Zhengliang said, “I hope the humanity and love during the earthquake can be passed on forever. Every time I watch the children, I have the determination to stay here and help them study."

This was an unforgettable scene for many students from Aba Teachers College after the quake. Zhang Zhengliang's music gave them inspiration. The college collapsed, but he and his classmates survived. He says the whole experience has taught him how to live.

Zhang Zhengliang said, "From now on, I will try to help others as much as I can. For without the help from others, we will not survive."

The new Aba Teachers College is nearly complete. The college was relocated to Shuimo County, some 90 kilometers south of its original site.

President Ma Hongjiang says the new Aba College will be double the size, big enough to enroll 8,000 students when it formally opens in September.

Ma Hongjiang said, “The excitement is beyond words. The central government has given us 700 million yuan, plus a 20 million yuan in aid from the local government. This makes possible the historic development of the New Aba Teachers College in the future. ”

Ma Hongjiang believes the unexpected blessing to come out of the painful disaster, could be the spirit in helping others.

CCTV reporter Han Bin, said, "The 2008 Wenchuan earthquake damaged over 8000 schools and colleges across Sichuan Province. The Provincial government has set the goal to finish rebuilding all of them by September. This is to ensure all students in the quake zone are back for the new term. ”

This is the road Zhang Zhengliang has chosen for his life.

Nearly three hundred students currently study here. Most of them belong to the Yi ethnic minority.

Zhang Zhengliang showed me his dormitory room, which is also his office. It lacks modern facilities to say the least. And he shares it with another teacher. However, he still feels happy.

Zhang Zhengliang said, "My only wish is to help my students finish schooling, and one day, they become useful persons in society and live a much better life. "

Zhang Zhengliang still loves music. It brings back all the memories and gives him hope and confidence. Three years on, he has emerged from the painful past, and practices the meaning of life through action.

His students may not know the stories behind the music, yet they will be taught by a teacher with the valuable lessons gained from the disaster.