Zhai Xiangli teaches his students in his class. (Photo/Chinanews.com)

"Although I am diagnosed with cancer, I will keep teaching my students here. My time with students is the hope of my life, "said Zhai Xiangli, a primary school teacher in a village of central Hebei province.

Zhai started his career as a teacher in 1974. In these 42 years, he has been awarded the title of Model Teacher for many times by the local authorities. His students are at the top of all the students in his county in subjects he teaches.

Zhai cares the left-behind children in his class so much that they call him "fatherly teacher". Whenever they want to say something from deep in the heart, they would like to share with Zhai.

Zhai said that he had a dream of giving all his love to his students, especially to those left-behind children. He said that these children lack knowledge and parental care and warmth.

Zhai is proud that he helps numerous dropouts to continue their study in school. It is said that among all of Zhai's students, 398 have graduated from universities, colleges and vocational schools.

After years of overwork, Zhai went to hospital and was diagnosed with cancer in 2011. 

Zhai Xiangli marks assignments. (Photo/Chinanews.com)