Hui Fenglian, a deputy to the 14th National People's Congress (NPC) and a Chinese language teacher – at Sixian County No 3 Middle School in Suzhou, East China's Anhui province, has dedicated 26 years of her life to the profession.

Her journey from classroom podium in Anhui to the Great Hall of the People in Beijing is marked by a deep-seated passion for education and unremitting commitment to her students.

Upon graduating from Anhui Normal University in 1999, Hui made the resolute decision to return to her hometown and work as a senior high school teacher, following in the footsteps of her father, a dedicated mathematics teacher.

"My father's steadfast devotion to his students has always been a source of inspiration for me," she said.

Hui's educational philosophy goes far beyond the traditional emphasis on exam scores. "Education should not solely focus on college entrance exam results, but also foster the well-rounded development of students," she said.

Hui Fenglian, a deputy to the 14th National People's Congress, works in the classroom at the Sixian County No 3 Middle School in Suzhou, East China’s Anhui province. [Photo by Xu Yifu]

She pioneered the "Five-Minute Pre-Class Speech" initiative to encourage students to speak on the topics of their choice at the beginning of each class. This has enhanced students' adaptability, communication skills and psychological resilience – areas in which students from smaller towns often feel disadvantaged when transitioning to university life.

Hui compares her students to young saplings, each growing at their own pace. "As long as we nurture them with care, they will all grow strong and flourish with endless possibilities," she said.

To Hui's students, Hui is not only a teacher but also as a trusted friend. "Adolescence can be a confusing period and the lack of family companionship can lead to behavioral issues or even on-campus bullying," she said.

She emphasizes the importance of timely intervention in addressing the psychological difficulties of students, which if left unattended can lead to bigger problems like rebellion and isolation.

Hui Fenglian, a deputy to the 14th National People's Congress, chats with her students. [Photo provided to npc.gov.cn]

In 2023, Hui was elected as a deputy to the 14th NPC. "This new role is not just an honor but a significant responsibility and mission," she said.

Over the past two years, she has actively fulfilled her duties by drawing on her frontline educational experience to address pressing issues – such as the promotion of youth mental health, the cultivation of high-caliber teachers and the improvement of school learning environment.

Her survey on youth mental health indicates that psychological issues are appearing at younger ages, growing more common yet often going undetected.

"Some students' psychological difficulties are not immediately apparent or are deliberately hidden, which makes timely detection challenging," she said.

When attending the third session of the 14th NPC in March, Hui submitted suggestions on collaborative efforts of families, schools and society to improve the youth mental health. "We must strengthen prevention and early intervention in addressing such problems," she said.

She called for enhancing classroom efficiency to ease excessive academic burdens, improving parent-child communication and establishing comprehensive psychological education systems at schools.

"The mental health of young people is crucial not only for personal growth but also for social harmony. It's imperative that everyone takes this seriously and acts proactively to safeguard their mental well-being," Hui said.

Hui also advocated enhancing the status of vocational education to broaden students' development opportunities. "We must promote vocational education and improve its quality to create a virtuous cycle," she suggested.

Hui Fenglian, a deputy to the 14th National People's Congress (NPC), poses for a photo at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing while attending the third session of the 14th NPC in March 2025. [Photo provided to npc.gov.cn]

Recognizing the pivotal role of teachers in enhancing education quality, Hui suggested raising the qualification standards for the teaching profession to ensure that only those with both moral integrity and professional competence become educators.

She suggested incorporating psychological assessments into the teacher evaluation system to appraise their personality and values, thereby enhancing the overall quality of the teaching workforce.

Hui also called for concrete steps to improve teachers' welfare and expand their professional development opportunities, so that more talented individuals are encouraged to the education sector.

"The trust of my students fuels my dedication to education, and the expectations of the people drive me to fulfill my duties as an NPC deputy," Hui said.