Clear thinking

Wu Jingxun, 52, is a volunteer teacher from Foshan, Guangdong province.

About 20 years ago, when he first visited the Baidiao Miao township in the Liangshan Yi autonomous prefecture, one of the most impoverished areas in Southwest China's Sichuan province at that time, he was astonished to find that no family had a single book in their home.

Believing in the lifelong benefits of reading, he began donating books to impoverished rural villagers.

However, he discovered that even with excellent picture books available, young children would quickly leaf through them without truly engaging. This realization motivated him to volunteer as a teacher, to help children learn how to read effectively.

Over the past two decades, he has traveled extensively across the poverty-stricken areas of 16 provinces. During his journeys, he encountered a new challenge brought about by the rise of AI technology.

"If I ask children a question, whether they're in Foshan, a more developed city, or in a village in Hunan province, they often respond by suggesting I ask Doubao, a large language model in China," Wu said.

"This is quite concerning because it suggests that children are opting not to think for themselves. Even when using AI, it's crucial to have the ability to discern whether the answers are accurate or not."

Therefore, it is crucial to encourage children, especially those from remote rural areas, to read. In these areas, there are fewer reading materials and less supportive reading environments compared with urban areas.

Reading is one of the easiest ways to bridge the education gap between urban and rural areas. While some people may not have the financial means to travel, books can provide a deep understanding of the world, he added.

He said when offering support to rural areas it is important to provide not only reading spaces and books but also an adequate number of teachers.

Wu also urged family members to help create a better reading environment for children in rural communities. Drawing on 20 years of experience, he said that children from affectionate families, particularly those with a loving, patient father, tend to thrive, even in remote rural areas.

"When you can't be with your children, don't give them phones. Books are better for their brains to develop long-term focus ability," he advised.