Jack Ma, one of the co-founders of Alibaba Group Holding, has commended the mindset of rural teachers in China, specifically noting their "belief in the future". This public message of support comes from the typically reserved Chinese billionaire. In a speech, Ma, a former teacher himself is seen speaking to a group of rural Chinese teachers, expressing his admiration for their efforts to bring out the creativity, curiosity and confidence of students amid challenging conditions in the countryside.
At the age of 59, Jack Ma has lauded the "genuine passion for education" and the "optimistic outlook for the future" displayed by rural teachers in China, as outlined in excerpts from his comments released by the Foundation. Despite maintaining a low profile since stepping down as the chairman of Alibaba in 2019, Ma has consistently met with Chinese rural teachers annually leading up to the Chinese Lunar New Year for nine consecutive years. The Jack Ma Rural Teachers Initiative and Jack Ma Rural Teachers Award were officially established on September 16, 2015. Each year, the Foundation shortlists 100 exceptional rural teachers, awarding them 100,000 yuan (US$14,260) each to support rural education, as detailed on the Foundation's website. It's noteworthy that Alibaba is the owner of the South China Morning Post. In recent times, Ma has actively advocated for agricultural and educational development, along with a focus on environmental protection.
Ma, who signed off with a guitar and a rock star wig at a farewell event for thousands of employees in 2019, has pursued several educational causes, including the Rural Principal Initiative, launched in 2016, and the Pre-Service Teachers and Rural School Initiative, both launched in 2017. The initiatives have supported 120 rural school principals, engaged 800 pre-service teachers, and revitalized 63 boarding schools located in rural areas.
