As the 2024 National Two Sessions approach, Gong Jianmei, a member of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) and principal of the Fourth Primary School in Guangnan County, Wenshan Zhuang and Miao Autonomous Prefecture, Yunnan Province, told reporters: "This year I am focusing on the mental health of primary and secondary school students, especially that of left-behind children."

Gong Jianmei's attention to children's mental health stems from her work practice and research. Yunnan has a large mountainous area, rural labor transfer employment is relatively common, and there are many left-behind children. Gong Jianmei observed that some left-behind children, lacking parental companionship, are prone to feelings of loneliness, and this impact on mental health cannot be ignored.

Using weekends and opportunities for collective research, Gong Jianmei visited different types of schools in Wenshan Prefecture. She recorded the feelings and expectations of teachers and students and compiled various documents and materials. Gong Jianmei found that in some areas, there is still much room for improvement in building a student mental health management mechanism based on collaboration among schools, families, and society.

When visiting a county-level middle school, Gong Jianmei learned that the school had not only equipped full-time mental health teachers but also set up a psychological counseling room. "Professional teachers are effective and flexible in relieving children's study and life pressure and can respond at any time," Gong Jianmei said. "For schools, to improve the effectiveness of mental health education, the teaching workforce should be further strengthened: first, professional teachers should be fully staffed and well assigned; second, the professional quality of ordinary teachers in mental health education should be improved, and education and training plans at all levels should be improved."

At last year's National Two Sessions, Gong Jianmei submitted eight proposals concerning, among other things, the staffing of public kindergartens. Gong Jianmei said that this year she will continue to base her work on the field of education, offer suggestions, and contribute her wisdom and strength.

Reporter's Notes

Caring for Education, Protecting the Flowers

Gong Jianmei has kept a photo: children at a school she visited show bright smiles when receiving the new school uniforms she gave them. From an ordinary classroom teacher to a primary school principal, and then to a member of the National Committee of the CPPCC, her caring gaze and the footsteps of her research have always closely centered on children's growth.

Children are the flowers of the motherland. Educational equity is an important foundation of social equity and an inherent requirement for building a strong education nation. Promoting better and better basic education in remote areas is the direction Gong Jianmei has been striving for and also an important theme of her performance of duties.