Longyang District Hetu Guantian Yu-Lang Hope Elementary School
Date of Visit: March 30, 2013
Purpose of Visit: Revisit
Grades: K-6 (14 classes total)
The newly constructed building funded by TDF has helped improve the educational environment substantially. However, the school is still severely deficient in respect to other facilities. It is difficult to manage the campus due to the lack in thorough planning. Limited funding to the education bureau and school make it impossible to implement long-term plans. We’ve encouraged the two principals to discuss future goals for the school with the local residents, as well as to continue to seek more funding from senior authorities and the youth foundation.
Students
No. of Students: 407 (no boarding)
Students are hardworking and dedicated. Their grades are ranked 3rd out of 16 elementary schools in town. 100% graduate on to junior high.
Teachers
No. of Teachers: 19
Teaching performance is excellent with many awards won.
Buildings/Facilities
– 24 classrooms (9 new classrooms + 15 old classrooms)
– Library: 3,500 books
– Cafeteria: only enough space for meal prep and teachers’ dining
– Restrooms: 18 pit-style toilets
Problems/Issues
The campus needs a playground/athletic field. More space is needed for the cafeteria, which is located next to the restrooms. The cafeteria needs to be expanded so that students can have meals, such as a nutritious breakfast. A teachers’ dormitory is also needed. Currently, teachers on day duty need to rent housing which could be a burden on their quality of life. Projects such as building additional bathrooms, a school gate, a campus enclosure wall, as well as concreting and landscaping of the campus grounds were scheduled to begin this August, but have not been carried out due to a lack in funding. In need of 40 computers, more library books, science experiment equipment, and a multimedia classroom.