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Dong Caiyun, a member of the Baoan ethnic minority group, has completed her undergraduate education and has been elected as a deputy to both the 13th and 14th National People’s Congress (NPC).

Currently, she holds the positions of deputy director of the Teacher Training Centre in Linxia Hui Autonomous Prefecture, Gansu Province, as well as vice president of Linxia Open University. Dong has been recognised with numerous honours, including being named a “National Role Model Teacher” in 2019 by the Ministry of Education and Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security, as well as being named a “2021 National March 8th Red-Banner Pacesetter” in 2022.

Dong used to be the principal of Chuimatan Primary School in Jishishan County of Linxia Hui Autonomous Prefecture. With over three decades of dedication to the teaching profession in rural areas, she has always been concerned with the changes and development of educational undertakings in western rural poverty-stricken areas. Following her election as deputy to the 13th NPC, she was reelected as a deputy to the 14th NPC. “I am delighted to be able to advocate again for educational undertakings in western areas,” she said. Her excitement was beyond words when she was reelected as a deputy for two consecutive sessions. Dong expressed that she would cherish this valuable opportunity and perform her duties to the best of her abilities.

Since her election as an NPC deputy in 2018, Dong has been persistently advocating for the development of education in her hometown during the Two Sessions. To her delight, her suggestions have been implemented, including a requirement that the salary of teachers in the compulsory education system is not lower than that of local civil servants in Linxia Hui Autonomous Prefecture, as well as relaxed restrictions on professional title assessments for first-line teachers in rural areas. These measures have effectively motivated the working enthusiasm of rural teachers and encouraged them to remain committed to rural education.

Dong said, “Over these years, there have been notable changes in education in Linxia Prefecture, such as improved school facilities, enhanced teaching quality, increased parental involvement in education, and more confident children. Thanks to the Party and the government’s emphasis on education in ethnic minority areas and their support in policies and funding.” However, Dong added, “there are still issues that need attention, such as a shortage of rural teacher resources and their low level of teaching capacity.”

In recent years, Dong’s focus has shifted to teacher training and enhancing their teaching capabilities. Using the Teacher Training Centre as a base, she actively leverages the quality teaching resources provided by pairing-assistance schools in developed areas of the east. Dong uses approaches such as joint school-running, on-the-job study and research, and exchanges or seminars to promote education development in the less developed areas of the west.

Compiled by OUC News Network