Principal Teng Shih-Wen is a native of Lukang. He previously studied in Tainan and, after graduation, taught at Meifeng Elementary School in Dacheng Township, Changhua, and later served as principal at Xinmin Elementary School in Tianzhong Township. He has been serving at Rixin Elementary School for about two and a half years. Below are his observations on local revitalization.
“Our students may one day inherit their family’s farmland—at least one hectare is needed to earn a stable monthly income of NT$20,000 to NT$30,000. But most only own a few tenths of a hectare. If they grow rice, there’s simply no profit.”
“With the young farmers in Fuxing serving as role models, these children can learn from their experiences of transformation. If they fail to adapt, they may end up selling their land. Many factories are willing to move in here… Recently, farmland prices have surged. Since the construction of the South Ring Road, nearby farmland has kept rising. Some plots are already priced at NT$10 million per tenth of a hectare. That’s why I hope to promote education in collaboration with the young farmers.”
“Children should understand the diverse forms of agriculture, including the integration of technology. When they grow up, they may develop new ideas to manage their family’s land.”
Principal Teng chose to work in Fuxing because he appreciates the area’s simplicity and rural atmosphere. “Zhanglu Road is bustling, but that hustle is just traffic passing through. There’s no functional infrastructure for people to stop and live. For nearby residents, it’s more of a disturbance. Ideally, urban planning should include designated zones for administration, commerce, leisure, and parks to make the area more livable.”
“Currently, it’s hard even to find parking along Zhanglu Road. Even if there are stores, customers struggle to access them. I hope urban planning can ease this sense of congestion.”
“I’ve seen other towns where land initially designated for parks was acquired and left undeveloped due to budget constraints. Eventually, it was turned into parking lots or sold to developers to build housing. Over time, the living quality deteriorated—there were no open spaces for rest. Parks are essential for quality of life.”
“Actually, there are job opportunities in Fuxing. With rising housing prices in Lukang, many young people working there are choosing to live in nearby Fuxing. Several new housing projects are underway. If the local community can build consensus, it would be ideal to develop Fuxing into a relaxed, rural lifestyle town.”
Thanks to the efforts of Principal Teng and the faculty, students and teachers have begun visiting young farmers in Fuxing, and a partnership is planned for next year to introduce food and agriculture education. We look forward to seeing Rixin Elementary School and Fuxing’s young farmers bring renewed vitality to the local community.
Related Link
Le Petit Prince Mural Project at Rixin Elementary
