Schools in South Africa are bursting with hopeful students, but the education system often fails those who most need it to escape poverty. Despite last year’s violent episode, students seem to feel genuine affection for their school and speak of their hunger for knowledge and their faith in education to bring a better life.

Sometimes there are those teachers who really, really understand:

Arthur Mgqweto, a math teacher, teaches more than 200 students each day for a salary of $15,000 a year. His students describe him as a friend, a mother, a father, a guide. “He comes early every, every, every day,” Blondie said. “He comes here early at 7 o’clock and he’s the last one to leave. He’s given himself to us.”

Mr. Mgqweto grew up in the countryside during the apartheid years, ashamed to go to school because he had no shoes. He finished high school in his 30s, sitting in class with children half his age. His only son was stabbed to death at age 21 in a nearby township. “I always explain to them, life is very hard,” he said. “They must get educated so they can take care of their families when they grow old.”

His students bake chocolate cakes with him on their birthdays. Dozens come an hour early on weekdays and for Saturday morning sessions with him. He is paid nothing for those extra hours, except in their gratitude. “I love that teacher,” said Olwethu, the student leader. “I love him.”

I highly recommend reading the New York Times articke by CELIA W. DUGGER (here)