The biggest reason for the achievement is that the school has dedicated teachers. They have faced many difficulties head-on, with many never taking leave and maintaining the same busy schedule as the students to make sure that more children can realize their dreams, he added.

Tan Maoqiao, who has taught at the school since 1996, said that as an alumnus he knows how difficult it is for rural children to change their destiny through education and see the wider world. Thus, he did not hesitate to teach at the school after graduating from a vocational college in Zhaotong.

Living conditions in Mangbu are not very good, with frequent fog and rain, and Tan does not have much time to look after his elderly parents, but simply witnessing the school's progress has made him committed to continuing devoting himself with passion and dedication, he said.

Wu Kongxiong has taught at the school for 24 years, since he graduated from Yunnan Normal University in 1999.

"I chose to teach at the school 20-plus years ago because I had to make a living, but I stayed because I have seen the worst times and want to make them better," he said.

"The school is successful because we have an exceptional principal, a united and dedicated teaching group and hardworking students."