‘Learn from Lei Feng’ campaign kicks off

Teachers and students at Beijing-based universities, primary and middle schools will start a campaign to "Learn from Lei Feng" from tomorrow, said the Beijing Municipal Commission of Education yesterday.

The campaign, launched by the Ministry of Education Tuesday, aims to use the "Learn from Lei" project as a criterion to evaluate the "comprehensive quality" of students, the ministry's announcement said.

Lei Feng (1940-62), from Hunan Province, was a People's Liberation Army soldier. After his death in an accident, his diaries were published, in which he wrote about how he selflessly wanted to devote himself to helping people. Subsequently, the people were exhorted to "Follow Lei Feng's example," and he became a role model symbolizing selflessness, dedication, striving and thrift.

Zhao Guowei, a publicity officer from the Beijing Municipal Commission of Education, yesterday confirmed that there will be a series of activities to promote Lei Feng spirit to students. More details will be released tomorrow, he said.

The campaign includes encouraging graduates to volunteer in poor areas in Western China, and students at primary and middle schools to write poems to elevate the appeal and influence of Lei Feng, according to the ministry's plan.

Xue Bo, a grade three pupil at Beijing Lei Feng Primary School, Xicheng district, which serving soldiers often visit, said "He [Lei] has learned virtues such as saving electricity and food from Lei Feng spirit," and he believes "Pupils at his school will be more polite than others."

"The 'Learn from Lei' campaign aimed at youngsters should be closely associated with the changing times," said Zhou Xiaozheng, professor of sociology at Renmin University of China.

"It would be better to gradually educate young people to perceive the social realities, such as the gap between the rich and poor and the justice systems, rather than just tell them they should be selfless or dedicated," Zhou noted.