Poverty Alleviation: Education changing the destiny of impoverished children

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03:16

One way to lift people out of poverty is to empower them with knowledge and specialized tools. High-quality education provided by free public schools is badly needed in many rural areas of China. CGTN's Cui Hui'ao visited a newly-opened school in the southern province of Guangdong, to see how it might be about to change the destiny of many young children.

40-year-old Li Xiaomei runs this fruit shop with her husband. For 18 years, they have survived on less than 3000 yuan a month. Cramped in a tiny apartment, the couple has three young children. Their biggest concern used to be where to send their kids to school.

LI XIAOMEI HEYUAN CITY RESIDENT "With our income level, there's no way we could send them to private school. Local public schools usually don't take our children because their father's hukou is registered in another province."

Limited schooling options meant the family faced a possible move back to the countryside where they're from. Fortunately, one public school opened threw them a lifeline. In September, this middle school in downtown Heyuan opened its doors. Funded by the Shenzhen Municipal government, it provides 3000 slots for local students in the city, including Li's daughter, Tang Zi Yi.

TANG ZIYI, STUDENT SHENHE MIDDLE SCHOOL "When I first visited the school, I was shocked. I had never seen a playground so big, and teachers here are very friendly. I am having a great time here."

Desperate to give her daughter a chance, Li contacted the school's principal immediately after hearing of its opening. She knew with a government investment as big as 135 million RMB, the education provided would be on par with that in first-tier cities.

GAI FENGZI, DIRECTOR SHENZHEN OFFICE AIDING LIVELIHOODS IN HEYUAN "Drawing on experiences from one of Shenzhen's best schools, we want to provide the best education here in Heyuan, including for students with from disadvantaged backgrounds."

Offering top-notch teaching and a variety of extra-curricular activities, the school has also built a modern dormitory. Tang Zi Yi can live in it free of charge. A rare exemption even for public schools.

CUI HUI'AO HEYUAN CITY, GUANGDONG "There is no doubt that education plays a pivotal role in poverty eradication. Children with no access to schools are usually less-equipped socially, emotionally and physically. And not only is education important in reducing poverty, this school's principal says it's key in making them better citizens."

LI FANGSHENG, HEADMASTER SHENHE MIDDLE SCHOOL "Our goal is to nurture our students to become citizens with global visions. And we believe it can only be culminated through education, as knowledge and skills can stay with them forever."

Tang says she has already made friends at her school. She enjoys mathematics, singing, and playing sports. And for her parents, this is probably the best news ever. Though they now see much less of their daughter, they rest assured that her future is taking shape well.