He Lianhua, a 35-year old mother of two, got up early on the morning of June 20 in Daxi Village, Fengdu County in Chongqing Municipality in southwest China. After making breakfast for her sons and sending them off to school, she got dressed, put on a little makeup and walked to the newly-established parent school, where experienced educators teach classes on how to manage relationships with their children. This is He's third class and she is eager to learn more since she has been facing a severe challenge trying to communicate with her adolescent 15-year-old son.

The subject of the class was how to nurture and improve children's team spirit. Qin Jiaxiong, one of the founders of the parent school program, stood in front of the room and shared his insights. Along with He, over 40 parents attend the classes, most of whom received little formal education due to poverty restrictions.

Qin was temporarily transferred to Daxi last year from Binjiang Middle School in Fengdu as a member of the work group to help the village shake off poverty. Aiding the poor with education has been an important part of China's poverty alleviation efforts.

"During my observations in the past year, I found that most parents in this village lack correct methods to educate their children. Some of them resort to beating and scolding the children when they are disobedient, while others always indulge their kids," Qin told Beijing Review after the class. "Unlike parents in big cities, most parents here have neglected family education. Besides providing material things, they have very little emotional communication with their kids."

As a veteran educator with over 20 years' experience, Qin decided to take action to change the situation and help promote parents' sense of family education. "Children carry the hopes of a family, and their future lies in education, and a family should play its role," Qin said.

Designing a teaching plan with 12 classes, Qin initiated the parent school program in March. Along with regular classes, he also keeps in touch with parents in need such as He.

"Mr. Qin has helped me a lot," He told Beijing Review. She has found it difficult to discipline her eldest son, who grew up with his grandparents and has never been close to his mother. "I was usually mad at him and scolded or even beat him since I felt that he was always against me. I could feel the distance between us but I couldn't do anything," He said.

"Now, I realize I should question myself sometimes," He continued. "Who says parents are always right? Am I considering what my son thinks?"

He said she learned from Qin's class that parents should put themselves on an equal footing with their children. "I used to be arbitrary, now I am trying to make some changes. I hope to learn more from Mr. Qin in order to better educate my children," she said.

He used to be an assembly line worker in south China's Guangdong Province and what she wants least of all is for her children to follow in her footsteps. "This parent school and Mr. Qin mean a lot to me. I hope my kids can receive a better education than I did, I hope I can teach them how to behave, I hope they can live an easier life than me," He said with tears welling in her eyes.

Copyedited by Rebeca Toledo

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