The schools are improving and so are teachers' lives. Thanks to the government policy, Zhang became a state-sponsored teacher seven years ago.

Currently, the government spends 3 percent of its GDP on education. China vows to raise that rate to 4 percent in the next two years. Hopefully, that will be enough to make Zhang and his students' dreams come true.(CCTV.com)

He now earns more than 2000 yuan each month. Most importantly, his salary is guaranteed.

Zhang Lu, Guizhou Province, said, Education means much more than merely learning how to read characters and symbols printed in a text book. Just as important is access to resources----which will help expand the influence of development, values and culture.

Zhang Dengyin, Teacher, said, "This is the only computer in our school. It's for office work, not for students. Only a few teachers know how to use it."

Zhang regrets he's among those who don't know how to use the computer. He said teachers must update their knowledge often, to better help students understand the changing world. But in a place as remote as this village, it's easy to get left behind.

Zhang Dengyin, Teacher, said, "We hope to have more chances to get to know new things."

Lunch break. when almost all students go home to eat. But this student stays behind in the classroom.

Xiaopiao, Pupil, said, "I don't go home for lunch, my home is too far away. I walk here everyday and spend two hours on the single way."

There are more than 100 students like Xiaopiao here, who spend at least four hours traveling between home and school. Many of them cannot afford lunch.

Zhang Dengyin, Teacher, said, "We really hope the government can give us support to establish a boarding school. It's really hard for those children."

Currently, the government spends 3 percent of its GDP on education. China vows to raise that rate to 4 percent in the next two years. Hopefully, that will be enough to make Zhang and his students' dreams come true.

(CCTV March 14, 2008)