Comment on "Teachers deserve a much better deal" (China Daily, Nov 30)

As a professor about to retire in Beijing, I agree with the article. I think teaching is an art. A professional and excellent teacher is born with the innate ability to teach rather than being entirely trained in schools. A certain type of dedicated and selfless people will be at the pinnacle of this profession.

Money is important in people's life, but it cannot be the only reason for teaching. Teaching is a difficult and time-consuming job. Teachers almost don't have vocations because they always spend their spare time preparing for the next semester or doing research.

Unfortunately, nowadays many teachers are not dedicated to the profession.

Nanxi Cao, on China Daily website

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(China Daily 12/06/2012 page9)