Xi Jinping Encourages National Specialized Teachers' Representatives in Letter

On the occasion of the 41st Teachers' Day, Xi Jinping, General Secretary of the Communist Party of China, President of the People's Republic of China, and Chairman of the Central Military Commission, replied to representatives of special post teachers across the country, expressing heartfelt hopes and extending holiday greetings and sincere regards to teachers and education workers nationwide. Xi Jinping stated in his reply, "In the 20 years since the implementation of the 'special post plan,' the majority of special post teachers have actively engaged in rural education, rooted themselves in the three-foot podium, worked diligently and selflessly, demonstrating the feelings and responsibilities of the people's teachers." Xi Jinping emphasized, "Education is of great importance, and teachers are fundamental. I hope you will continue to adhere to the original intention of education, continuously improve your abilities in teaching and educating, guide and nurture children's healthy growth with dedication and care, strive to cultivate more socialist constructors and successors with all-round development in morality, intelligence, physical health, aesthetic appreciation, and labor skills, and make new contributions to the promotion of rural revitalization and the construction of an education power." Li Keqiang, member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Premier of the State Council, gave instructions on the work of special post teachers, pointing out that General Secretary Xi Jinping's reply to representatives of special post teachers nationwide fully demonstrates the party central committee's care and attention to the teacher team. Li emphasized that teachers and education workers should adhere to Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era as a guide, vigorously promote the spirit of educators, fully implement the fundamental task of fostering virtues and talents, preach and teach in the places where the country and the people most need it, and contribute more to the construction of an education power. The special post plan for teachers in compulsory education stage at rural schools is a special position plan established by the central government with dedicated funds for recruiting graduates from universities to teach in rural schools in central and western regions. Since the implementation of the "special post plan" in 2006, a total of 1.18 million special post teachers have been selected, covering more than 30,000 rural schools in 22 provinces and over 1,000 counties. Recently, 8 representatives of national special post teachers who have been awarded honors such as the national "most beautiful teacher" wrote to General Secretary Xi Jinping, reporting on their work and experiences in rural education, expressing their determination to remember their original aspiration and mission, and to root themselves in rural areas to teach and educate.