A
Thein Shwe is sitting with one of his students, 14-year-old Nur Hakim, outside a small classroom built of wood. Thein Shwe has been working at this non-formal primary education centre since it was first set up five years ago. He says, “I love teaching. I was a personal tutor (家庭教师) before. When I learnt that this centre was looking for teachers, I applied.”
Thein Shwe is very popular among his students. Even Nur Hakim, who at first was very shy, becomes more confident as his teacher smiles, nodding to encourage him. I come from a poor family, says Nur Hakim. “My father died when I was a baby.”
Nur Hakim’s father, who was a factory worker, was the main provider. Since his father’s death, his mother has had to support the family of six by herself. Nur Hakim was not attending school until the age of 12, when he got the chance to attend this non-formal primary education centre. “I love English and I love my teacher because he is always on time and teaches us well,” says the boy.
Nur Hakim says he hopes to join Grade 5 students next year in a nearby government school. Nur Hakim holds on to his dreams. “I want to be a doctor,”he says.“In my village, I see a lot of illnesses.”
Thein Shwe admits he finds it difficult to support his family working as a volunteer. But Thein Shwe talks more about the successes and difficulties he has faced keeping his students in class. He says over the four years, about 80% of the students continue on to the government school or vocational (职业的) training.
When Thein Shwe is asked about his main success as a teacher, he needs no time to think. “It’s being able to keep the poorest children in school,” he says.
21. What can we learn about Thein Shwe?
A. He started teaching when he was 14.
B. He used to work in a government school.
C. He has worked as a volunteer teacher for five years.
D. He helped set up the non-formal primary education centre.
22. What does Nur Hakim want to do in the future?
A. Be a worker like his father. B. Work in the field of medicine.
C. Teach in a government school . D. Be a volunteer teacher like Thein Shwe.
23. What does Thein Shwe think is his main achievement as a teacher?
A. Teaching kids useful life skills.
B. Providing chances of education for poor kids.
C. Changing children’s attitude towards education.
D. Sending his students to schools of higher education levels.
