An elementary school in China has just one teacher and one pupil.

Li Yongchun, 61, has been teaching at the school in Dasu village, Longjing region for over 25 years.

He explained: “At first, the school had more than 400 students, but in the ’90s, more and more families migrated from the mountain village to make a living outside, and there were just over 10 students left.”

“In 2000, the city education bureau decided to shut down the school after the graduation of the last student. New kids can register and board at another school in nearby Sanhe town, which is a two-hour drive away.”

But the family of a third grader named Han Hongyang can’t afford the boarding fee, so she became the last remaining student.

“We have been like this for more than half a year. She is my only student, and I’m her only teacher,” says teacher Li.

Teacher Li teaches his student six subjects – Chinese, Mathematics, Korean, History, Geography and PE.

“During class breaks, we play badminton, ping pong and football, which is a bit hard for a 61-year-old,” says Li.

In another half a year, teacher Li is to retire, and the city education bureau says then it will send another teacher to take care of the only student till her graduation, reports City Evening Post.

(Ananova)

By Sirius on 29-06-2007