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Across China, the education system differs widely, offering unequal opportunites. While the government is trying to narrow that gap, building larger rural schools, there are still throw-backs to a simpler time. From a remote part of Hubei Province in Central China,   there is a story of an old school, an old teacher and his one remaining student.

"I came here 13 years ago. At that time there were two teachers and over 60 students. Now it's just me and one student," Zhao Guoqing said.

They say education is for everyone and for Zhao Guoqing that means being there even if there is only one student to teach.

59-year-old Zhao Guoqing is the school's principal, its Chinese teacher, its maths teacher, its only teacher.

"I'm the only one here. And I don’t think I’m fully¹ qualified². I can only try my best when it comes to teaching Chinese and math," Zhao said.

Zhao Guoqing became a substitute teacher in 1975, after graduating from high school.

Since 2000, he has been the head master of the Tianjinpu Primary School, only to see both teachers and students leave.

Now only little Wang is left.

Starting in 2001, China began an massive, nationwide transformation³ of rural elementary and middle schools nationwide. This meant shutting down village schools and bringing students to large, centralized schools in towns and cities.

Behind the policy is a stream of people moving to the cities, parents looking for work, young teachers looking for more fulfilling careers, and students looking for better education, all pursuing a common ambition in China's less wealthy, rural interior.

"Some of my students have moved away with their parents who are working in big cities. Some've been transferred, because their parents think we couldn’t provide them quality education," Zhao said.

After spending hundreds of days together, Wang sees his teacher like a grandpa.

Zhao Guoqing compares his school to an desertred island, as mainland seemingly drifts further and further away.

Last year, Zhao visited a new, modern school in the nearby town to fetch some paperwork. He was greeted by the smiling faces of former students, but Zhao is obviously out of his element. He's never used an electronic teaching aid. He doesn't know how to use a computer, nor does he speak of word of English .

"I understand. Times are changing. People nowadays are willing to invest more in education and send their kids to better schools. It's a good thing," Zhao said.　

Last month, even his four-year-old granddaughter was enrolled⁴ in a new kindergarten 30 kilometers away in the city.

"I don't know. If it were up to me, of course I would want her by my side and teach her. But I’m not capable of giving her what she needs."

After 39 years as an educator Zhao knows his time has past and he'll retire in a year and a half. He's not interested in transfering to a newer school.

"No, I'm too old. If we're talking about being a quality teacher, I tried, I can live with that. But when it comes to students' safety, I really don't think I'm the right person to keep an eye on them," Zhao said.

With no one stepping forward to replace him, Zhao knows the Tianjingpu school will soon be a part of history.

"I've always known the day will come. But as long as I'm here, the school will open its doors," Zhao said.

Although there's no one to follow in his footsteps Zhao says being allowed to finish his career teaching one last student is reward enough.