Extracurricular learning free for teenagers in Tibet

LHASA－Children from underprivileged backgrounds in the Tibet autonomous region can now participate in extracurricular classes for free. Earlier this month, 280 teenagers in the regional capital Lhasa were enrolled in a one-year program that offers 12 extracurricular classes, including sports, science and technology, calligraphy, painting and dancing.

The Tibetan youth education center recently ran a recruitment drive that gave priority to children from low-income households.

Yeshe Kuntse sent his daughter, Tenzin Kela, to the region's youth palace, one of the center's educational venues. The 8-year-old is passionate about dance and got a spot in a free dancing course. "We were delighted to learn that our daughter had been accepted and may have the opportunity to perform at the regional children's show this year," said Yeshe Kuntse, 42.

Dronme, a dance instructor at the center, believes that the classes will pique children's interest in Tibetan dance, contributing to the popularization of traditional culture.

Norbu Wangdrak, 13, is a basketball enthusiast who is currently receiving coaching at the education center. The 173-cm-tall boy hopes to make more friends and improve his skills. Tsewang Tashi, 8, a student in the robot programming class, said that he aspires to design and create his own Transformers with what he learns.

The Tibetan youth education center is the region's only comprehensive multipurpose after-school education facility to integrate training and cultural exchange, according to its director, Huang Zheng.

Xinhua