Source: CCTV.com
03-18-2009 09:14
Education in Tibet has developed significantly in recent years. Nearly all school age children are receiving a proper education. CCTV's Xie Zheng visited one junior middle school in Lhasa. As he found out, government subsidies have helped the development of education.
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| Tibetan students |
It's the last semester for Yangje at her junior middle school in Lhasa. The 16-year-old's parents are farmers and her home is some 60 kilometers away from Lhasa. She joined more than 600 others as a boarding student three years ago. Now, as the top student and head of her class, she is the pride of her parents and teachers.
Yangje, student of No. 6 Middle School, Lhasa, said, "My dream is to become a dancer some day. I love singing and dancing."
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| A Tibetan student |
Yangje's dream wouldn't come true had it not been the government subsidies she and her schoolmates enjoy. More than 600 of the school's 700 students are from remote rural areas. The school provides free meals, a dormitory, school uniforms, books and stationery for these students. This is the case for all primary and junior middle schools in Lhasa. The policy has been in place for more than 20 years.
Zhou Changgen, head of Dept. of Education & Phys Ed, Lhasa, said, "Education in Tibet has the most favorable policies, and the biggest investment is from the central and local governments. All costs for students from rural areas are taken care of by the government. As far as I know, Tibet is the only such case in China."
Subsidies for rural students began in the 1980s, but it was not until 1998 that this school started to enroll boarding students. Teachers say real improvements began five years ago after education authorities increased spending. The school has a computer room, libraries, and laboratories.
