A school of three children: a devoted teacher and his disabled students

Liang with his three students. (Photo/Xinhua)

Nestled in the deep mountains in Shangsi, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, Fengtong elementary school is the last educational institution in the remote village. Its three students, a pair of 15-year-old twins who suffer from learning disabilities, and an 11-year-old who suffers from Aphasia, are educated and taken care of by 59-year-old Liang Zhixiong, the school's only teacher.

In 2005, when Liang first came to the school, it was home to 8 teachers and 137 students. Due to the disadvantaged location and decreasing number of residents, only three students remained by 2017.

"My students are all disabled, making it difficult to teach and take care of them. But I decided to be their companion, and I want to help them," Liang told Xinhua.

In addition to school courses, Liang also helps the kids cultivate hobbies in drawing and sports. One of his students lives quite far away from the school, so Liang decided to live in the school with him during the weekdays, cooking and taking care of him as a father.

Liang told Xinhua that according to the rules, he should retire when he is 60 next year, but he still wants to be with the kids, as they cannot live without him.

"If the school cannot get a new teacher to replace me, then I will stay with the kids, they need a companion, and I would like to be here for them," he said.