Studying outside Xinjiang
By Mao Weihua and Zhu Lixin in Urumqi | China Daily | Updated: 2016-04-06 09:10
Poverty alleviation, development and cultural exchanges are byproducts of efforts to better educate tens of thousands at inland schools
Mardan Mamat, a basketball player dubbed "the little Jordan" by his classmates, has been studying at No 66 Middle School in Urumqi since last year as part of a massive project to offer more educational opportunities to rural students in the Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region.
The tall 14-year-old, who is studying 1,000 kilometers from his home in Xahap township of Yecheng county in Xinjiang's Kashi city, has more than hoop dreams. He may never rival NBA great Michael Jordan, from whom he draws his nickname, but he can have Jordan's work ethic in the classroom.
Photo