Tibetan middle schools play catch-up

Tibetan students check the listings on a bulletin board at the Beijing Tibet Middle School. Wang Jing / China Daily

Four months after Tian's inspection, the Ministry of Education and the State Planning Commission issued a notice establishing three middle schools in Beijing, Tianjin and Lanzhou to accommodate Tibetan students.

Each school recruited 700 students. The notice also stipulated that 16 Tibetan classes would be set up in various areas, including the Shanghai and Tianjin municipalities and Zhejiang and Anhui provinces.

To be considered for admission, students have to pass an examination in Tibet and file their applications. Schools admit students based on the exam score.

Once Tibetan students are admitted, they don't need to worry about costs, because the central government covers tuition fees, food and accommodations.

Because the program has been implemented over nearly three decades, it has nurtured many leaders in Tibet and has been warmly received by the Tibetan people.

"Our alumni have worked in every corner of the autonomous region," said Zhang Mei, vice-principal of Beijing Tibet Middle School, adding that these graduates have become leaders in many fields.

A school brochure lists the names of graduates including high-ranking government officials, judges, prosecutors, film directors and teachers.

Although Tsangyal's illiterate mother did not want to let her go, her father encouraged her vision.

"The education in a Tibetan middle school outside of the autonomous region might promise a better future," she said, adding that her dream is to become a doctor in her hometown.

Palden Nyima in Lhasa contributed to this story.

 

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