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Xiong Yihua is known as the best rower in his village - although he never intended to be one.

Each working day, the 53-year-old picks up several pupils and rows 2 km across a river to reach the school in which he is the only full-time teacher.

He has been doing this for nearly three decades.

In 1970, Xiong and other villagers were resettled on three different islands under the jurisdiction of Wuning County, East China's Jiangxi Province, to make way for a reservoir project.

Xiong started to teach in 1974 - in his home - until seven years later when the schools on the three islands were merged to the form Fengliang Primary School, forcing him into his waterway routine.

The two-way journey takes more than two hours, but the teacher never complains.

"I have grown accustomed to it... I even regard it as daily exercise," he said with a smile.

He has every bit of confidence in his nautical abilities; and has never met with an accident.

There is one thing, he is afraid of, though. Storms while he is in the middle of a journey.

"They have occurred several times and it is a huge effort to reach land as soon as possible."

The school currently has 14 students ranging in age from 4 to 8 - all taught in one room.

They are in three different grades, so some study on their own when Xiong is teaching others.

Xiong's office also serves as a kitchen, and he cooks lunch for all during the afternoon break. He wishes the school could expand the 80 sq m structure and get an electricity connection.

"I did want to quit when I was young, and longed for making a living in the city as other people did. But the truth is, I love children," he said.

What keeps him going is that no student wants to discontinue schooling despite the poor conditions.

After breaking three wooden boats over the years, Xiong has taught up to 600 students in total, at least 10 of whom have become university students.

(China Daily 09/10/2007 page 1)

Questions:

1.  Where did Xiong Yihua first start to teach in 1974?

2.  Why does Xiong row the students to school?

3.  What does Xiong also use his office for?

4.  How many students have gone onto university?

Answers:

1.  In his home.

2.  The schools on three islands were merged into one school.

3.  A kitchen.

4.  At least 10.

（英语点津 Linda 编辑）

About the broadcaster:

Bernice Chan is a foreign expert at China Daily Website. Originally from Vancouver, Canada, Bernice has written for newspapers and magazines in Hong Kong and most recently worked as a broadcaster for the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, producing current affairs shows and documentaries.