This combo photo taken on April 24, 2025 shows volunteer teachers at the primary school of Sheyit Village in Karajol Township under Artux City, Kizilsu Kirgiz Autonomous Prefecture, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. (Xinhua/Wang Fei)
Located just 47 km from the border, Sheyit Primary School is a remote village school that primarily works with children from the Kirgiz ethnic community. Under the "Go West" program, a voluntary service program in China's less-developed western region, Gao and other 22 college graduates now teach here. Hailing from across the country, their Mandarin accents may slightly differ, but they are all united by a single purpose -- to light up the path of knowledge for around 300 children.
"Most of their parents are herders or patrollers, so they rarely have time to care for their families," Gao said. "That's why these children love school so much. Some of them even come to study on weekends. I'm always surrounded by curious students with endless questions."
"When motivated students meet dedicated teachers, academic improvement is only a matter of time," said Jin Wenbin, the school Party chief, adding that the school has finally shed its long-standing position as the lowest-performing in Artux City.
Early this year, the school ranked among the top 15 in the city. Since 2023, it has consistently produced graduates who excelled in regional standardized exams, earning admission to Xinjiang's top middle schools under a funded initiative.
Volunteer teacher Memetyimin Khudiret (L) gives a class at the primary school of Sheyit Village in Karajol Township under Artux City, Kizilsu Kirgiz Autonomous Prefecture, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, April 23, 2025. (Xinhua/Wang Fei)
Volunteer teacher Yan Zefeng gives a class at the primary school of Sheyit Village in Karajol Township under Artux City, Kizilsu Kirgiz Autonomous Prefecture, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, April 23, 2025. (Xinhua/Wang Fei)
Students have a meal at the primary school of Sheyit Village in Karajol Township under Artux City, Kizilsu Kirgiz Autonomous Prefecture, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, April 23, 2025. (Xinhua/Wang Fei)
Gao Shuxian (C) talks with a student's mother during a home visit in Karajol Township under Artux City, Kizilsu Kirgiz Autonomous Prefecture, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, April 23, 2025. (Xinhua/Wang Fei)
Volunteer teacher Xiong Danni (C) plays with students at the primary school of Sheyit Village in Karajol Township under Artux City, Kizilsu Kirgiz Autonomous Prefecture, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, April 23, 2025. (Xinhua/Xu Hongyan)
Volunteer teacher Wang Junwen (C) guides students of drum and bugle corps during practice at the primary school of Sheyit Village in Karajol Township under Artux City, Kizilsu Kirgiz Autonomous Prefecture, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, April 23, 2025. (Xinhua/Wang Fei)
Volunteer teacher Wang Yizhi (1st R) instructs students in dancing at the primary school of Sheyit Village in Karajol Township under Artux City, Kizilsu Kirgiz Autonomous Prefecture, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, April 23, 2025. (Xinhua/Xu Hongyan)
