On the 21st of November 2023, the signing ceremony for donations made by the Education Foundation of the Open University of China (OUC) for rural revitalisation through education in Guangnan, Maguan, and Zhenxiong Counties of Yunnan Province took place in Guangnan County.

Attendees included Hu Wei, a deputy director of the Department of Minority Education, Ministry of Education; Zhang Chunhua, a deputy director of the Department of Education; Xu Renzheng, the director of the Education and Sports Bureau; and Nong Meilin, a deputy mayor of Guangnan County People's government. The event was hosted by Zhang Zhaoping, the director of the County-level Education and Sports Bureau in Guangnan, Yunnan.

Donation on-site

During the ceremony, Zheng Jie, the general secretary of the OUC Education Foundation, signed respective donation agreements with representatives from the three counties and presented donation checks. The foundation donated 300,000 yuan to each county for the construction of local middle and elementary school campuses.

Hu Wei made a speech

Hu Wei emphasised that the rejuvenation of our nation relies on rural revitalisation. He noted that the Department of Minority Education, within the Ministry of Education, has consistently focused on the development of education in these three counties to meet the increasing expectations of the people from “having access to education” to “pursuing high-quality education”. He expressed a hope, that the counties would effectively utilise the resources provided by society.

Zhang Chunhua made a speech

Zhang Chuihua expressed gratitude to the Department of Minority Education, within the Ministry of Education, and the OUC Education Foundation, for their care and support of educational development in Yunnan. He urged the counties to live up to expectations and address grassroots school development issues in a targeted manner.

Nong Meilin made a speech

Nong Meilin stressed that the Department of Minority Education, within the Ministry of Education, and the OUC Education Foundation, are dedicated to the development of grassroots education and fulfilling their responsibilities as social organisations. This support has instilled confidence and determination in the three counties to effectively carry out their educational endeavours. She urged the recipient schools to make use of the funds to improve and meet the expectations of parents, the public, and cultivate students to become useful individuals for the community.

Zheng Jie highlighted that this donation was made under the guidance of the Party leadership group, with the Department of Minority Education responsible for coordination. She expressed hope that with full support through donations, the three counties would achieve high-quality educational development and ensure that education better serves the rural revitalisation initiative.

A delegation led by Hu Wei and Zheng Jie conducted a field trip investigation at Dongbaoxiang Central School, one of the recipients of the donations.

This donation is guided by a goal-oriented and problem-oriented approach, focusing on addressing weaknesses in rural educational development. It demonstrates the responsibility of the OUC and the OUC Education Foundation in supporting rural revitalisation and promoting educational development in rural areas, thus contributing to the prosperity of rural areas through education. Additionally, it provides spiritual encouragement and material support to teachers and students in remote areas of southwest China.

Written by Gao Enze, photographed by the County-level Education and Sports Bureau in Guangnan, Yunnan