KUALA LUMPUR: A teacher is like a candle which burns bright to bring light to the lives of others.
It is an apt way to describe Suriani Md Salleh, 40, who is better known as Cikgu Surie.
The dedicated teacher works very hard to make sure that her students are prepared as best as possible to sit for their Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) examinations.
For about 10 years, Cikgu Surie has been conducting extra classes for free at her neighbourhood surau and a multipurpose hall situated at the low cost apartments where she lives in.
She goes out of her way to help her students because she wants to see them succeed and have a better future. She does so without expecting anything in return.
"Usually I conduct extra classes for Science and Chemistry for the benefit of my students who will sit for their SPM.
"Usually I have between 20 to 30 students who attend the extra classes. Most of them live in and around my neighbourhood," she told Harian Metro yesterday.
Cikgu Surie, who has been teaching for 17 years, said was motivated to continue with the free classes when she sees her students scoring top marks in the SPM.
"I am very happy when the students improve themselves and obtain good results. I'm very thankful that the extra classes have been very well-received."
She said she also receives positive feedback from the Surau Al-Firdaus committee members in Section 4, Kota Damansara, which is the other venue for her extra classes.
She admitted that exam season was her busiest time of the year.
"As a teacher, I do not expect anything in return. The sweet memories and joy in imparting valuable knowledge to young minds and seeing them soar to greater heights makes me very happy to carry on teaching," she said.
Surau Al-Firdaus committee secretary Mazidi Abd Manaf, 48, said it was more than happy to provide the tools needed by Cikgu Surie to conduct her classes such as a white board and a special area for her to teach.
"The surau is not just a place for performing prayers. It is also a place for learning, thanks to dedicated teachers like Cikgu Surie who conducts extra classes for free," he said.
Meanwhile, Ikmal Hakimi Rohizamudin, 24, who is one of Cikgu Surie's former students said he and his friends attended the extra classes in 2016.
"Most of us scored As for Science and Chemistry thanks to the dedication of Cikgu Surie, who helped us to excel and obtain the best possible results," he said.