Pei Hongxia, secretary of the general Party branch committee of Shijiazhuang Foreign Language School in North China's Hebei province, has long been dedicated to fostering patriotism and civic awareness among students through innovative educational initiatives.

As a deputy to the National People's Congress (NPC) since 2023, Pei attaches great importance to enabling her students to learn about how the system of people's congresses ensures the practice of whole-process people's democracy in China.

Central to Pei's vision is the establishment of the deputy outreach and liaison office at Shijiazhuang Foreign Language School. This office, launched in December 2019, aims to immerse students in the workings of China's system of people's congresses and allows deputies to share experiences and insights with the younger generation.

Pei said that establishment of the office serves two primary purposes. First, it brings deputies at all levels closer to students, personally introduce them to the system of people's congresses and share their experiences in fulfilling their duties as a deputy.

"On the other hand, students' social practice outcomes can provide insights for the deputies' suggestions, enhancing the value of students' social practice and enabling students to truly experience the essence of whole-process people's democracy," she said.

Currently, the deputy outreach and liaison office includes 48 deputies at the national, provincial, municipal and district levels. An advisory committee for the office has also been established.

Pei Hongxia, secretary of the general Party branch committee of Shijiazhuang Foreign Language School and deputy to the National People's Congress, lectures on the system of people's congresses to students at the deputy outreach and liaison office. [Photo provided to npc.gov.cn]

By incorporating popularization lectures on the people's congresses into the curriculum, the school has enabled students to gain a comprehensive understanding of the fundamental principles of China's political system from various perspectives, fostering a profound understanding of democracy and civic engagement.

In addition to this endeavor, she also initiated activities for students to develop both an international perspective and a deep-rooted love for their homeland, ensuring a harmonious balance wherever their educational journey takes them.

During the winter vacation in 2022, students from the Shijiazhuang Foreign Language School conducted a social practice activity on the road signs along the Taiping River Fitness Greenway. They discovered that some of the signs on the western section of the greenway were incomplete and unclear, and there was a shortage of public restrooms, underscoring an urgent need for improvement.

"This activity allowed us to step out of the school and interact with society, nurturing our abilities while instilling a mindset of serving the community," said Bian Junyuan, a student who participated in the activity.

"Such practical activities should involve not only students but also the deputies in the outreach and liaison office for guidance. As of now, we have incorporated 192 reports on such social practice into suggestions of deputies at the national, provincial, municipal and district levels," said Pei.

She emphasized that these activities integrate the school's classroom with the broader societal classroom, enhancing students' sense of fulfillment and social responsibility.

Pei Hongxia, secretary of the general Party branch committee of Shijiazhuang Foreign Language School and deputy to the National People's Congress, lectures on the system of people's congresses to students at the school's deputy outreach and liaison office. [Photo provided to npc.gov.cn]

Pei's commitment goes beyond the school's campus, extending to underserved communities in the region through targeted educational assistance programs.

She said that, since 2014, her school has been providing targeted educational assistance to 12 primary and secondary schools in mountainous areas across six counties in Shijiazhuang.

"We have formulated a 10-year assistance plan to benefit 37,446 families in 700 villages across 31 townships and promote high-quality development of rural basic education in the region,” she added.

By focusing on enhancing students' overall development, Pei ensures that education at Shijiazhuang Foreign Language School transcends the classroom.

"As educators, we always carry a sense of responsibility, aiming to help young people acquire skills and seek knowledge, while also guiding them to establish beliefs and cultivate character," she said.

Yu Hao contributed to this story.