November 2014 Update

Li County Leigongta Pengjiachang Yu-Lang Hope Elementary School

Date of Visit: November 20, 2014

Purpose of Visit: Project Completion

Grades: K-5 (6th-graders now study in the area’s central elementary school)

“Left-behind children” are now commonplace in today’s rural society, with about 70% of the students being raised by their grandparents, leading to problems with generation gaps in upbringing. The kindergarten is outsourced but managed by the school, with good results. Students are brought to and from school by school bus. Concreting of the playground is in planning.

Students

No. of Students: 324 (no boarding)

Rural students are simple and honest, as well as hardworking, having had little contact with the outside world.

Teachers

No. of Teachers: 19

The English teacher has received specialized training in the subject. A homeroom teacher is available to tutor students after school.

Buildings/Facilities

– 9 classrooms
– 1 teachers’ office
– Computer Room: 1 computer
– Cafeteria: newly constructed; provides breakfast and lunch
– Restrooms: pit-style toilets

Problems/Issues

No library. Needs more computers. There is currently no computer classes. Need teachers for music, PE, and art classes.