Bridging Tradition and Tech: A Teacher’s Dual Mission
Li Ruifang, a Wa ethnic deputy from Yunnan’s remote border region, is making waves at this year’s National People’s Congress with her bold vision: merging AI-driven education with cultural preservation. Known for founding a children’s choir that keeps Wa folk songs alive, she’s now advocating for ‘smart classrooms’ in frontier schools. 🌄
"We can’t let geography decide destiny," Li told CGTN during the 14th NPC session. Her 2026 proposal focuses on deploying AI tutors and digital learning tools to help border students compete in STEM fields—while ensuring ethnic languages and music remain core to their identity.
From Folk Songs to Algorithms
Li’s journey began as a teacher in a village where smartphones were rarer than rainbows. Her choir, which started as a way to teach Wa oral history through music, now has over 200 members. But this year, she’s added a tech twist: "Imagine AI apps that teach calculus and Wa nursery rhymes!"
With China’s digital economy expanding, her push comes at a critical time. Over 30 border schools in Yunnan are set to pilot AI learning platforms this fall—a potential game-changer for students who once lacked stable internet access.
