Guardian of the 'pocket' elementary school

Longxing is the most remote village in Zhushan county, Hubei Province. There are 776 people in the village, and only 300 are permanent residences. There is an elementary school in the village, which used to have six classes, 10 teachers, and over 100 students. In 2003, students above the third grade all moved to another location and merged with Pailou elementary school. Since then there are only four students and one teacher left in the village, and the school became a "pocket" elementary school.

Hu Bo is the only teacher at the school. He took the "relay baton" from his father the year before last. His father Hu Qilin became a teacher in 1973 and never left the school. "It has been 40 years, I can't leave here. If I am gone, these kids have to go to Pailou elementary school 8 kilometers away from here. These kids' fathers were all my students as well, they trust me, so I can't let them down," said Hu Qilin.

In 2013, Hu Qilin turned 60 and was about to retire. Because of the poor condition in the village, most of the young teachers were unwilling to stay here. Hu Qilin got worried and asked his son Hu Bo to see if he wanted to come back to teach.

Hu Bo, 36, has been teaching in a decent elementary school in the county. After he learned about the situation, Hu Bo voluntarily applied to transfer to the village school and did not hesitate at all. "My father's health condition is poor, but he never gives up his students. He is my role model, and it is my honor to stick to his post." Hu Bo is the headmaster, the teacher, the chef, and the child-care person at the school.