Wu Bin, 60, is the vice principal of Hangzhou No. 14 Middle School. Instead of retiring last november, he stayed at the school for an additional three months under a new policy. In the final days of his career, he unexpectedly gained popularity on social media due to a video capturing him directing traffic in front of the school gate.

The school, with over 2,600 students, is located next to Longteng Road, an 8-lane mixed-traffic street. Students are scheduled to arrive at school from 7 am to 8 am. To prepare, Wu usually arrived by 6:10 am, ate breakfast, and then took his post at the gate. On rainy days, he always had umbrellas, boots, and reflective vests ready for the entire security team.

During the one hour he spent escorting students, Wu strictly adhered to a no-phone policy. "Every second of inattention can lead to an accident, and that would be irresponsible towards parents", he stated.

Wu Bin, vice principal of Hangzhou No. 14 Middle School, voluntarily directs traffic every morning in front of the school gate. Photo: Hangzhou Daily

Dressed in a reflective vest and white gloves, few realized that the busy man directing traffic was the vice principal. He carefully observed the lanes, decisively signaled drivers to stop, and quickly urged students to cross the road. In winter, when visibility was limited and the number of cars picking up and dropping off students increased, he focused even more intently, fearing drivers might enter a blind spot.

Thanks to his reputation as an educator, he also took on the role of a "judge," mediating minor collisions. He chuckled, saying: "Many parents were once my former students; seeing their teacher intervene, they show respect, and no one wants to argue anymore."

This unique habit began in 1991, when Wu was 27 years old. Initially, he wanted to use the early morning time to remember the faces and names of each student. However, after several job rotations, standing at the school gate became an integral part of his life. In some years, to be on time for his duty, he had to leave home at 5:30 am, driving through the foggy town.

Wu directs traffic in front of Hangzhou No. 14 Middle School, China for 34 years. Photo: Hangzhou Daily

The achievement that made the vice principal most proud was that throughout 34 years, no student suffered an accident during his shift. He revealed: "I persevered because I was 'afraid.' Children only take a few seconds to cross the road, but if an incident occurs, it will be a lifelong pain for a family."

Wu's story spread, making parents more aware of how they stopped and parked their vehicles. Many younger colleagues also volunteered to join him in escorting students. Few knew that Wu suffered from ankylosing spondylitis, frequently experiencing back pain. The continuous arm movements and body turns were also his way of warming up his body to combat the pain.

Wu's one regret was that throughout decades of protecting students, he never once had the chance to take his own son to school. However, his family always provided strong support for him.

In a childhood diary entry, his son once wrote lines about his father that he never forgot: "Protecting others is the job of heroes."

Minh Phuong (According to Hangzhou Daily, China.com)