A retired teacher in Jiangsu province has set up 12 tutorship centers and helped more than 300 students in rural areas for free in the past 13 years, China News Service reported.

Zheng Youxian, a resident of Lishui district in the provincial capital Nanjing, retired from his teaching post in 2000 and then started helping students in rural areas.

"Many children in rural areas live a hard life," Zheng said.

"Many left-over children need help in both study and in developing their mental application."

Zheng rode to the centers, scattered across 14 villages, by bike.

More than 30 retirees also joined in the endeavor, impressed by Zheng's commitment, and now there are two or three volunteers in each center, according to the report.