March 2013 Update
Date of Visit: March 29, 2013
Purpose of Visit: Revisit
Grades: K-6 (9 classes total)
The newly constructed building funded by TDF has substantially improved the school’s education environment. It is already now the most updated school in Xinjie Township. Not only are the classrooms tidy inside and out, the entire campus is clean and orderly. The school has done well with allocating classrooms and managing their various functions. The art room is equipped with easels and the music room has various instruments (electronic pianos, drum kits, percussion instruments). The library is lined with shelves donated by TDF, and books are placed in order and labelled properly. There is also a reading room for students to use. Of all our sponsored schools, this one stands out in respect to its excellent facilities management. The principal’s effort cannot go unnoticed. As he is currently 56 years old, his physical strength is not what it used to be so he has recently applied for retirement. However, Xinjie’s central school secretary strongly urges the principal to stay on with his work, and has lessened the principal’s workload down to teaching three classes per week while they search for a new, replacement principal. They plan on finding a new principal within a year so that there could a be a seamless transition.
Students
No. of Students: 387 (no boarding)
Students have a positive attitude towards learning. Their performance is ranked 5th out of the 29 elementary schools in town. They score particularly well in mathematics. 100% graduate on to junior high.
Teachers
No. of Teachers: 19
The teachers are exceptional, with many receiving awards of excellence. The school has also been presented with an advanced unit [work group] award.
Buildings/Facilities
– 19 classrooms
– Library: 13,000 books
– Computer Room: 30 computers (no internet access)
– Cafeteria: only enough space for meal prep and teachers’ dining
– Restrooms: 22 pit-style toilets
– Campus enclosure wall
Problems/Issues
Lacking an athletic field/playground area, but there are plans to obtain a piece of land right behind the school to build one. Not enough space in the cafeteria for students to have meals like a nutritious breakfast. There is no teacher’s dormitory. Some teachers are temporarily housed in the old Three Doctrines nunnery next to the campus. However, this building has been designated as a rundown, and unsafe structure.
