When Tian Jigang, a math teacher, was transferred to work at the Mawangxi Primary School in Luxi county, Hunan province, in 2008, the meager salary and shabby dormitory the school offered made it hard for him to settle in the poor village.

Five years later, Tian feels proud of his decision to stay as his annual income has reached 50,000 yuan ($8,210), 14,400 yuan more than his colleagues working in the nearby town, according to a report released by the local education authority.

"Higher pay eased the pressure to make a living and gave us greater motivation to contribute to grassroots education in rural areas," Tian said.