Approximately 320 students at Biandanshan Town Central Primary School in Zhenning Buyei and Miao Autonomous County, Anshun City, Guizhou Province, are set to receive a substantial collection of books around World Book Day. Titles include illustrated children's versions of "On the Origin of Species," "Hatchet," "Lion Girl," and the "Little Lighthouse" biography series. These popular children's books will also be distributed to rural primary schools in Gansu, Jiangxi, Hebei, and other provinces, benefiting over 100,000 children.
This extensive book donation initiative stems from a public welfare event held in Beijing on April 16. In response to a call from the Ministry of Education, New Oriental Education & Technology Group, in collaboration with the China Non-Government Education Association, launched the "Books Nurture Young Minds, Reading Accompanies Growth" campaign. The New Oriental Charitable Foundation allocated 2 million yuan to purchase and donate 109,760 carefully selected, high-quality children's books to rural primary schools in five regions: Xingyi City in Qianxinan Prefecture, Guizhou; Zhenning Buyei and Miao Autonomous County, Anshun City, Guizhou; Dongxiang Autonomous County, Linxia Prefecture, Gansu; Shangyou County, Ganzhou City, Jiangxi; and Wei County, Xingtai City, Hebei. The initiative aims to support the holistic development of rural children by helping them cultivate a lifelong reading habit.
The donation ceremony was attended by officials including Li Shi, Vice Director-General of the Department of Development Planning at the Ministry of Education; Hu Wei, Vice Director-General of the Department of Ethnic Education; Liu Lin, President of the China Non-Government Education Association; Yu Minhong, Chairman of New Oriental Education & Technology Group; Li Guangyao, Director of the Education Bureau of Zhenning Buyei and Miao Autonomous County, Anshun City, Guizhou; and Li Ping, Inspector of the same bureau, along with teacher and student representatives from the recipient schools.
A good book can open a window to the world for young people, planting seeds of knowledge and dreams. In the era of artificial intelligence, the innovative capabilities, critical thinking, and cultural literacy fostered by deep reading are more crucial than ever. However, reading resources remain insufficient in some remote rural areas. In recent years, the state has placed high importance on nationwide reading, continuously promoting youth reading initiatives, with particular emphasis on enhancing reading resources in rural schools. Advancing high-quality rural reading development requires not only policy guidance and resource allocation but also collaborative efforts from all sectors.
Li Shi, Vice Director-General of the Department of Development Planning, stated in his speech, "This public welfare donation is a vivid example of social forces contributing to the revitalization of rural education, fully demonstrating the responsibility and commitment of the non-government education sector to education and rural communities." He added that the Ministry of Education will continue to increase reading support for key areas, including ethnic and border regions, improve the rural reading service system, and actively build platforms to encourage more caring enterprises and industry organizations to support rural education.
Hu Wei, Vice Director-General of the Department of Ethnic Education, noted that the book donation covers multiple ethnic regions, which not only reflects support for ethnic education and care for children of all ethnic groups but also helps young people break down geographical and cultural barriers. Through reading, they can gain a deeper understanding of the breadth and depth of Chinese civilization and enhance their identification with the nation and its culture. He urged the recipient schools to integrate the donated books into their campus reading systems, organize activities such as reading shares, classic recitations, and themed class meetings, ensuring the books truly enter the classroom and become valuable companions for students.
Li Guangyao, Director of the Education Bureau of Zhenning Buyei and Miao Autonomous County, expressed gratitude for the donation, stating, "This substantial book donation from New Oriental provides targeted support for our rural education." She acknowledged that, locally, many children's parents work away from home, making education largely dependent on schools. She assured that "every donated book will be put to use and reach each student for reading."
Yu Minhong, Chairman of New Oriental Education & Technology Group, has long been concerned about the reading needs of rural children. As a member of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, he has submitted proposals calling for improved book resources and reading guidance in rural schools. He leads by example, consistently donating his personal book royalty income to the New Oriental Charitable Foundation to purchase books for rural children. The entire 2 million yuan for this donation came from Yu's personal royalty earnings. "Money earned from writing books is best returned to books, igniting reading enthusiasm and interest among more children, creating a virtuous cycle," he remarked.
The 109,760 donated books comprise over 300 titles from 15 renowned publishers, including People's Literature Publishing House, Encyclopedia of China Publishing House, and CITIC Press. The collection spans categories such as popular science, literature, history, and biography. It includes internationally acclaimed award-winning works like "Hatchet" and "Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH," traditional cultural readings such as "Stories from the Analects" and "Biography of Su Dongpo (Youth Edition)," as well as Ministry of Education-recommended titles like "Andersen's Fairy Tales" and "Camel Xiangzi." All books were carefully selected by the publishers and New Oriental for children aged 6 to 12, ensuring they are age-appropriate, high-quality, and engaging.
The book donation is just one facet of New Oriental's philanthropic efforts. For years, New Oriental has continuously deepened and innovated in rural education public welfare. Initiatives range from the "Candlelight Action" empowering grassroots teachers' professional growth to the "Distant Mountains Broad Learning Course" opening windows to the world for rural students. From focusing on rural children's mental health to leading western children on marine research trips, New Oriental addresses the most pressing needs of rural education through consistent action. Meanwhile, its subsidiary, East Buy, explores industrial approaches to support rural development, such as aiding agricultural product sales and supporting young people returning to their hometowns to start businesses, injecting vitality into rural areas.
The 109,760 books have already been dispatched. They will traverse mountains and rivers to reach the children, to be opened on a quiet morning or evening. Through diverse support, New Oriental continues to contribute to the comprehensive revitalization of rural areas, illuminating more possibilities for the future of rural children.