teacher serving for mini-school in Guizhou

Meng Rongda and his students carry the drum before practicing Yao ethnic drum dance at Zhongzhai teaching site in Xishan Township of Congjiang County, southwest China's Guizhou Province, Feb. 16, 2023.

Meng Rongda, 59, is the only teacher of a "mini-school," more precisely a teaching site in Xishan Township of Congjiang County. At present, there are 23 preschool students and 17 pupils in the first and second grades.

Besides Chinese and math, Meng is also responsible for physical education (PE) and music courses to ensure rural children can also attain a sound basic education.

Meng has been working as a teacher, cook and caretaker at the mini-school since 2015 in the landlocked mountainous areas. To him, education can change the fate of children and therefore, he devotes himself to lighting up the way ahead for these rural children. (Xinhua/Yang Wenbin)