Feng huang qin

To begin with, teaching was not a highly paid profession in China, although it was a highly respected profession, relatively speaking. In the rapid economic expansion in China since the introduction of the reform, the schools, especially those for primary and secondary education, did not benefit, yet, there are teachers who are still full of dedication and care.

This film illustrates the difficulties in the Chinese education system. There are certified city school teachers, and then there are the country teachers who teach in the rural schools often without pay for several months. "Country Teachers" as it is called in the United States shows one of these rural schools high in the mountains. It shows the difficulties that these schools face and the sacrifices that the teachers make for their students. It also shows the pride that the village people take in their community and their small school. All of the teachers hope to one day get one of the coveted city school positions. A job that guaranties wages and decent materials. These country teachers learn there is more to teaching than making a living.