A rural teacher who shoulders more

Shao Jun, a rural teacher who lost his right arm, lectures a class of Dongshan Primary School in Sanbing county, Chaohu city, in East China’s Anhui province on Sep 7, 2011. Shao, 43, lost his right arm 25 years ago as a migrant worker and returned home 13 years ago, getting a job a rural teacher. As more students attend lessons away from the village, the school has only 13 students and two teachers, with 10 in their first grade and three in second grade. Shao teaches the three second graders all their subjects. Shao’s students said they respect him not only for the knowledge he taught them, but also because he prepares meals for them and accompanies them on the hilly road back home after class. Shao says he is satisfied with his life, with a monthly income of 700 yuan ($104), especially when his students call him “Teacher Shao”. He said although the school is in a poor condition, the students here spend their time studying hard. “A rural teacher should bare more responsibility to teach every student well, in order to help them get better education away from the mountain,” Shao said. [Photo/Xinhua]