Guanshanhu helps rural students access higher education

Rural students from Guanshanhu district perform at an activity themed on poverty alleviation through education. [Photo/Guiyang Daily]

Guanshanhu district in Guiyang city – capital of southwestern Guizhou province – is extending the quality of its education resources to rural areas, helping children from poor families receive equal educational opportunities, according to local officials.

They said the district has carried out an implementation plan on poverty alleviation through art education, sending eight art teachers to give related courses and organize art clubs at rural schools.

More than 100,000 yuan ($14,422) has been invested in the purchase of teaching equipment, benefiting over 300 rural students.

As for the special education assistance plan, the Guiyang municipal bureau of education has launched investigations to help guarantee disabled children of school age attend their schools.

Plans are also for it to build mental health counseling centers at communities and schools, to promote disabled children's development both in body and mind.

The district government has been actively improving catering conditions in schools following the implementation of the nutrition improvement program for rural compulsory students.

Statistics showed that last year, some 21,957 rural students from 26 primary and secondary schools and 7,456 rural children from 25 pre-school education institutions in the district enjoyed nutritional meals.

In recent years, the Guiyang municipal bureau of education has insisted on investigating and collecting information on students whose families have economic difficulties -- to provide tuition discounts, national grants and loans.

Officials said that statistics showed that last year, the district channeled a total of 2.17 million yuan to help 3,431 students from poverty-stricken families. A total of 171,750 yuan was provided to pay for books and accommodation for 335 students.

Officials said that they will continue to improve their support work for rural students to ensure that more of them have a brighter future.

Zhao Yandi contributed to this story