The background and needs of Chengliu Primary School in China

by Global Ministries | published on Oct 10, 2014

Basic conditions
Chengliu primary school is located in the town of Gangwang in the northeast corner of Zhecheng County, China. It is one of the biggest schools in Gangwang and is part of the Chengliu school district. This district is made up of four villages: Chengliu, Huaqiao, Liutun and Chenglou. The total population of this area is 4121. The average farmland per person is less than one acre and the income of the working people barely satisfies clothing and food. 600 children in this district are of primary school age. The school has 9 classes with a total of 425 students and 19 full time teachers. The school occupies 6700 square meters and has 40 classrooms. The building itself is 800 square meters.

The urgency of developing the school
Due to recent natural disasters and the outbreak of HIV/AIDS (many villagers were infected when selling blood for income), the financial situation of the village worsened, making it difficult to find funds to improve school conditions. At present, the 40 classrooms are all in dangerous conditions. 19 teachers share three desks and a small office room (which is divided from three classrooms). All of the school’s windows are missing glass. When it rains, the roof leaks and the rain comes in from windows. The water inside the classroom is often as deep as it is outside the classroom. The students, teachers and parents are all concerned about the conditions, but the school could do nothing but dismiss students early during storms. The students from grade one to grade five have to bring desks and stools to school themselves while the students in preschool classes still study on a cement platform. The wall of the school is 400 meters long and is in danger of falling down. The lack of teaching equipment is also a main concern. In the autumn of 2003, the school loaned out more than 3,000 Yuan, which has not yet been repaid. Money for teachers’ training is limited, which has made some teachers behind on their schooling. Because of the difficult conditions, 175 students transferred to other schools. The situation of Chenliu Primary School is so dire that the school needs to be rebuilt.

The rebuilding standard and the finance budget is now a concern. The price of both brick, sand, and cement has increased. The school needs to build classrooms, office rooms and other rooms totally for 1082 square meters. Each square meter will cost about 500 Yuan. 541,000 Yuan is needed in all for the classrooms and offices. Additionally, building two lavatories will cost 30,000 Yuan, the building wall (540 meters) requires 190 Yuan per meter (102,600 Yuan total). Reconstructing the gate will cost 70,000 Yuan.

School supplies and equipment are also needed. 600 sets of desks and stools will cost 48,000 Yuan. Electrical teaching equipment, physical, musical, paint, and art equipment according to the national standard will cost 20,000 Yuan. The science room and relative equipment will be 40,000 Yuan. Buying 5000 books requires 15,000 Yuan.

Since the school will be built in a different location, buying 30 acres of land will cost 300,000 Yuan (this is not included in the budget). Sports fields, including a basketball court, volleyball court, football field, and race track, be 300,000 Yuan.

The training fee for each teacher is 1,000 Yuan. There are 19 teachers, therefore 19,000 Yuan is needed for the training of the teachers.

Budget
Classrooms and offices: 541,000
Lavatories: 30,000
School wall and gate: 172,600
Desks and stools: 48,000
Electrical teaching equipment: 60,000
Books for the library: 15,000
Sports fields: 300,000
Training for teachers: 19,000
Total: 1,185,600 yuan

Raising the Funds
According to the budget, the school needs 1,185,600 Yuan in all. 504,600 Yuan will be collected from aid associations and the villagers, another 300,000 yuan for the sports fields will be donated by the government and other organizations. The project will need the support of the Amity Foundation for 380,000 Yuan.

Construction
The school will establish a construction group and the president Mr. Zhao Xuexian will be the leader, Mr.Li Baofeng will be the vice leader. They will be in charge of the process and quality of the school construction, making sure the money is used wisely. They will also make sure the construction is finished on time and the students return to school, including the children who have stopped attending.

Social benefits
After reconstruction, more than 600 students will go to class and finish 9 years of compulsory education. The new school will help prevent students from discontinuing their studies or changing schools. The rebuilt school will also ensure that students and teachers have a safe place to learn and teach. The improved conditions create a better environment for study and learning, which can raise the quality of teaching and increase the quality of life for everyone living in the village. The school can be used for night school or weekend classes for villagers and for farmers to develop agriculture and the economic situation of the area.