East Asia
In the cities of East Asia, most kids get to go to school, but life is different in rural areas.
Most schools don’t have heating and the winters get really cold.
A lot of schools in rural parts of China are in bad shape. Some don’t have furniture so kids have to stand all day. Most schools don’t have heating and the winters get really cold—there’s even snow. Can you imagine standing all day in a freezing cold classroom? It would be pretty hard to pay attention and do your best.
The Problems Girls Face
It’s extra tough for girls to go school. In rural China, fewer girls than boys are enrolled in school. When parents only have enough money to send one child to school, they are sometimes forced to choose between a daughter and a son.
Since traditional Chinese culture values boys over girls, all too often girls lose out. Ten million girls in the country are still not in school.
Ma Xiaohong’s Story
Featured Story:
Ma Xiaohong's Story
A new school brings hope to Gansu Province.