Jack Ma Sees a Breakthrough in China's Education in Rural Areas

SANYA,China,Jan. 14,2019 -- "Wherever the problem is,that's where the opportunity lies. Rural education may be the best place to see a breakthrough in China's education," said Jack Ma to open his namesake foundation's Annual Rural Teacher Award Ceremony in Sanya this weekend.

Jack Ma Foundation recognized teachers and headmasters for their outstanding services in China's remote and unprivileged regions.

The Executive Chairman of Alibaba Group and Founder of the Jack Ma Foundation noted that in China,over 90 million children are raised in rural villages and towns,many with parents working far away in urban cities. This means the over three million rural teachers and their headmasters,who have so much time each day invested in the children,are often the most-influential in determining their futures,and,therefore,the future of China.

Improving the quality of education in China's remote and unprivileged regions has been the foundation's primary focus. In the Sunday ceremony,the foundation recognized 101 teachers and 20 headmasters for their outstanding services in some of China's most-impoverished and disadvantaged areas.

According to Ma,a teacher's job is to inspire.

"Each child comes with certain gifts and talents. A good teacher is to support and encourage children in discovering their gifts," he said.

"There are nearly 20 million babies born in China each year. It is education that makes these people become good citizens on this earth. I hope to boost the resources to support headmasters. A headmaster can determine the education environment in a village or the entire region,which is critical for children in those areas," added Ma.

The two-day event in Sanya also included roundtable sessions conducted by Ma and prominent public figures who shared their insights on child development and education with the teachers. This year,the foundation showcased models of renovated boarding-school facilities as a demonstration of its mission in improving the school situation in China's countryside. The over 20-square-meter room can accommodate six students,comes with an attached bathroom and one designated teacher to supervise the room.

The foundation was established in 2014 by Ma,who is a former English teacher and has maintained a passion for education.

The "Jack Ma Rural Teacher Initiative" is the foundation's first core program and its efforts to identify and support outstanding rural teachers. A hundred top teachers selected annually by the Foundation are granted 100,000 yuan each (US$15,000) to help them stay and work in villages and towns. Meanwhile,a three-year professional development plan also helps them enhance their teaching skills.

In addition to this first initiative,Ma launched the "Jack Ma Rural Headmaster Initiative" in 2017,with the aim to promote leadership and management skills of headmasters in China's villages and towns. The selected headmasters will be provided 500,000 yuan each (US$75,000) to help develop specific educational plans.

The latest initiative by the foundation is to undertake its mission of renovating and upgrading boarding-school facilities in rural areas,offering new beds,classroom furniture,vehicles,as well as more nutritious school meals.

The foundation has engaged more than 80,000 rural teachers and headmasters since its establishment.

About the Jack Ma Foundation

The Jack Ma Foundation is a charitable organization started in 2014 by the Founder and Executive Chairman of Alibaba Group. The Foundation aims to promote human potential and the protection of the environment. From education to environment issues,public health and personnel development,the foundation intends to raise social awareness and foster responsibility to cultivate an innovative and sustainable model for the development of a better world. For more information,please visit: http://www.jackmafoundation.org.cn.

Media Contact

Katie Lee

Alibaba Group

+852-9728-0979

k.lee@alibaba-inc.com

Photo - /20190114/2345754-1

Logo - /20190114/2345754-1LOGO