Walking stick teacher in mountainous area

Li Zhaowen, the only teacher of a primary school in South China's Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region, teaches students in November 2016. [Photo/Xinhua]

After rounds of rains in the deep autumn, it was a much colder morning in November in the mountainous areas in South China's Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region.

"Dang, dang, dang…" the series of school bell sounds broke the tranquil atmosphere at a small primary school in Changfeng village, Rong'an county in Guangxi.

Li Zhaowen, the only teacher in the school, walked awkwardly with his walking stick down from the second floor of the simple building to the classroom on the first floor where 12 students were waiting for him.

"Good morning, teacher!" they said as they bowed down to Li who smiled and answered "Good morning, sit down." Then, they started their first class of the day.

Li, 58, has been the only teacher in the primary school in the mountainous area for some years and he teaches six courses including Chinese, mathematics and music. The total strength of the students this year was 12.