"I will naturally consider these matters. If someone truly cannot afford to study, I can establish bursaries and scholarships. As long as the child wants to learn, they will not be forced to drop out."
Chen Yang gritted his teeth. The tuition for primary school was only two to three yuan per semester. The entire Wanli Commune likely didn't even have a thousand students in total.
As for middle school, Chen Yang needed to see if he could recruit teachers. Primary school was easier. There were quite a few educated youths like him who had settled down in the countryside and couldn't return home. There were also some young people in the villages who had completed junior high school, and they might be able to teach.
For junior high, without a high school diploma, it would be difficult to teach well. So, he had to decide based on the actual situation.
Even if he covered all the tuition fees for these children, it would only amount to a few thousand yuan a year, which Chen Yang could afford.
Of course, building a school would involve much more than just that. There would be costs for building materials, stationery, desks and chairs, and paying teachers' salaries.
It would likely cost tens of thousands!
Zhang Weiyang's business was expanding, and Chen Yang had channeled a lot of his profits there. The fermented fish factory was also expanding its operations, which also required investment. Chen Yang's cash flow was actually quite tight.
But regardless of how tight it was, he would save money to build the school as soon as possible.
The sooner the school was built, the sooner these children might be able to attend, preventing them from dropping out. Perhaps among these children, there would be someone who could be admitted to a vocational school or even a university.
Perhaps by saving this money, he could change their lives.
"I support you!"
"Our family's life is already so much better than before. I'm content."
"You are doing a good deed, accumulating merit for our family and our children. If the children can all succeed and several get into university, that would be truly wonderful."
Shen Xue was not highly educated, but she deeply respected educated people. Otherwise, she wouldn't have liked Chen Yang so much back then.
"With your support, I have the confidence to build the school."
Chen Yang hugged Shen Xue and kissed the little Chen Peng in her arms. Shen Rong felt a little embarrassed.
"Brother-in-law, I'm still here. Don't corrupt me!"
This girl had become quite lively and spirited under Chen Yang's influence these past few days. In the past, she would never have said something like this.
"You stay home and take good care of your sister. I'm going to find the old village chief and discuss this with Director Liu at the commune."
No sooner said than done. With the plan in mind, Chen Yang immediately went to find the old village chief. The old village chief was leading a work team at the time. Upon hearing that Chen Yang wanted to donate money to build a school, he immediately dropped everything and followed him.
This year, three students from the village were admitted to university, which was a momentous occasion for him.
If this were ancient times, being admitted to university would essentially be equivalent to passing the imperial examinations and becoming an official. Shen Pandi being the top scholar in the county made it even more remarkable.
He was not well-educated, but he understood a truth: reading and literacy would surely lead to a better future for the children than toiling in the mud their whole lives.
The knowledge contained in books was definitely useful.
If nothing else, why hadn't they known how to make money for so many years, while Chen Yang was leading fellow villagers to earn money with his paddy field fish and factory?
This was because Chen Yang was educated and knew a lot more things!
Therefore, when Chen Yang said he would donate money to build a school, he was the first to support him.
Although the production team had no money, if they were to build a school, he would even donate the village office. He could use straw mats and have the brigade cadres hold meetings at his home.
"Director Liu, Director Liu, Chen Yang from our village is prepared to build a school for the commune. Come out quickly, let's have a meeting to discuss it."
Chen Yang hadn't even entered the commune's courtyard with the old village chief when his loud voice was already shouting.
Chen Yang's forehead immediately broke out in black lines. Good heavens, this school of his would definitely be built this time, no matter what. Otherwise, the old village chief had already made such a grand promise, how could he go back on his word?
"Chen Yang, building a school is a good thing!"
"In these villages of ours, there are only a few village-run primary schools. The teachers are also busy farming during peak seasons and only teach children in their spare time. The students, too, have to go to work when busy. How can they study with peace of mind?"
"I also hope to have a school, hire some full-time teachers, and let the children study with peace of mind. The farm work can be done by us adults."
"If the children have free time after class, they can help out. During winter and summer vacations, they can lend a hand without neglecting their studies. When it's time to study, they should focus entirely on learning, only then can they truly grasp things."
Liu Fuchun held Chen Yang's hand. This was his treasure. He had just built a factory for him, and now he was going to build a school for the commune. What else could he be but a precious piece of fertilizer?
"Director Liu, your thoughts are the same as mine."
"We want to build a school. I want to invite the educated and well-behaved educated youths who have stayed in the commune to be teachers. I can pay their salaries, and they can teach the students well."
Chen Yang looked at Liu Fuchun. Building a school was not just about constructing a building. It also involved land approval, hiring teachers after the school was built, school management, and student enrollment.
These were all things he couldn't personally handle everything. He needed the cooperation of the commune and the brigades. After all, they were the ones who could pay attention to the school's teachers and students for a long time.
"Chen Yang, your idea is excellent. Our commune has many educated youths who have gone to the countryside, and some of them have married and had children, intending to settle down on this land."
"These are precious talents for our commune. Also, there are teachers who are already teaching in village primary schools, and some who have completed junior high school and are quite educated. I think we can screen them and find suitable candidates to be teachers."
"The salary should not be borne entirely by you. The commune, the various brigades and village groups, we will all find a way together."
"I can approve the land for building the school. The tiles for the roof, the bricks for the walls, the desks and chairs, we can all make them ourselves."
"The commune is not without masons and carpenters. We will cut wood from the forest, blast stones in the mountains to make lime, and dig clay to make bricks. We will open kilns."
"Building a school for our own children, for them to study, I believe the villagers will all work with all their might!"
Liu Fuchun became excited as he spoke. Chen Yang was willing to pay, and the commune was willing to provide land, labor, and materials. Building a school was a beneficial deed for the present and for future generations.
They say it takes ten years to grow trees, but a hundred years to nurture people. Education is the foundation for the villagers to live a good life.
"Director Liu, you have thought of and arranged everything!"
"You will be responsible for building the school. I will bring the money to the accountant later. I have ten thousand, and you can have the accountant hold it for now."
"When the school is built, I will figure out how to manage the school and organize the education of the students, and write a set of rules and regulations. I will only provide a framework, and this can be adjusted in real-time as the teachers gradually deepen their teaching."
"I believe that in the future, the children of our Wanli Commune will produce more vocational school students and even university students. Our lives will definitely get better and better!"