In order not to let the child "get lost", in a fourth-grade classroom at Wujia Dun Primary School in Jianghan District, there is an old grandmother sitting next to a little girl in the last row. They attend class together every day.
For four years now, the teachers and students in this class have grown accustomed to seeing this grandmother and granddaughter duo in the classroom.
The little girl's name is Jingjing (a pseudonym). She is tall with a pretty face. During recess, she plays with her classmates just like any other child, showing no signs of being different.
"Her condition becomes apparent during class," said Jingjing's grandmother, Ms. Wang. Her granddaughter has suffered from epilepsy since childhood. Due to long-term medication, she has developed issues with inattentiveness and hyperactivity. "If I don't sit beside her and keep an eye on her, she will unconsciously take things from other students or even hit them."
Jingjing was born in 1999 and was fine for the first six months of her life. Later, she began having frequent fevers, and at the age of three, she was diagnosed with epilepsy. "To treat my grandchild, I've visited countless hospitals," Ms. Wang said. She made five trips to hospitals in Beijing alone, accumulating dozens of medical records over the years. It wasn't until she was six that Jingjing's condition improved. The frequency of seizures decreased from several times a month to once a year. Because of the treatments, Jingjing didn't start school until she was eight years old. Ms. Wang had her IQ tested by specialists who determined it to be below average but still within the normal range. "She's not a fool; she can attend a regular school," they said. "If she were sent to a special school, she would 'get lost.'"
Ms. Wang insisted that her granddaughter attend a regular school. She enrolled Jingjing in a nearby primary school and requested permission to accompany her in the classroom. After a week of insistence, Jingjing and her grandmother finally sat down in the classroom together.
After one semester at the nearby primary school, due to a move, Ms. Wang transferred Jingjing to Wujia Dun Primary School.
"Seeing this child, I felt so sorry for her," said Principal Xue Jiao. To decide whether to accept Jingjing, the school leadership held a special meeting. Principal Xue and others supported admitting her. As educators, they believed it was their responsibility to ensure every child could enjoy the benefits of education. After a week of trial enrollment, the school accepted the grandmother and granddaughter pair.
Compared to other children, Jingjing's self-control and ability to absorb information are weaker. At first, while everyone else was attentively listening to the teacher, Jingjing would sneak away from her seat when her grandmother wasn't looking, walk to the front of the classroom, and then return. If she liked something belonging to another student, she would insist on taking it.
Ms. Wang remained vigilant, constantly monitoring Jingjing. Whenever she attempted to leave her seat or became distracted, her grandmother would grab her and force her back into her seat. When Jingjing resisted, her grandmother resorted to physical punishment. "I've hit her head and back. Afterward, I feel terrible—this isn't her fault; she's still a patient!"
Ms. Wang, 62 years old, wakes up at 6 a.m. every morning with her granddaughter. After eating breakfast at home, they go to school together. Except for music and PE classes, she spends the entire day attending class with her granddaughter. She brings lunch to eat at school and helps Jingjing with her homework after meals. In the evening, after dinner, they study together until 9 p.m.
Because she must accompany her granddaughter to school, Ms. Wang only has weekends to do her own things. Therefore, all social engagements are scheduled for these two days. On Sundays, she buys groceries for the entire week ahead.
In four years, Ms. Wang has only taken two days off, on March 1st and 2nd this year. Suffering from gastritis, the doctor advised her to undergo a gastroscopy from Monday to Friday, but she kept the appointment slip in her pocket without even telling her son and daughter-in-law. She only took those two days off because her condition became unbearable, and she had to seek treatment.
Ms. Wang explained that Jingjing's parents lost their jobs early on. To earn money for her medical treatment, they run a small business in Wuchang, working long hours. The responsibility of caring for Jingjing's education fell solely on her after her husband passed away shortly after Jingjing started school.
"The grandmother accompanying her granddaughter" is not lonely; both students and teachers help her. Initially, Jingjing only spoke to her grandmother. However, some classmates frequently sought her out to play, gradually allowing her to interact with them. These classmates take good care of Jingjing. When she misbehaves or becomes restless, they gently restrain her and comfort her. The classmates say that when Jingjing throws objects at them or pulls their clothes, they don't tell Ms. Wang because they fear she might punish Jingjing.
Class teacher Ms. Liu Dan said that for Jingjing, they provide both special attention and avoid treating her differently. Teachers assign her less homework and simplify questions. However, Ms. Liu deliberately asks Jingjing small questions during class, calling on her to answer. Whenever she answers correctly, Ms. Liu publicly praises her. Even if she answers incorrectly, Ms. Liu compliments her for speaking loudly. Despite knowing that Jingjing participating in the radio calisthenics competition might affect the class score, Ms. Liu still allows her to join. She also includes her in every spring outing and group activity, waiving the fees for her grandmother.
Jingjing has changed; her self-esteem has strengthened. Previously unable to express emotions, recently, Ms. Liu heard Jingjing call her "Teacher Liu, hello!" for the first time, which moved her deeply. Now, Jingjing's academic performance is average, with better results in Chinese. She memorizes texts faster than other children. Ms. Liu said, "We have reached a consensus with Ms. Wang: we will teach Jingjing according to her capabilities."
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Written by reporter Wang Zhen
Photographed by reporter Jin Siliu
One Thousand Reporters Go to the Grassroots (Editor: SN005)