China intensifies cracks on Tibetan schools, forcibly inherited with state-control education instead

The Chinese government has targeted private -owned educational institutions that support Tibetan language and culture as part of the fundamental rights of Tibetans.

According to a report by Human Rights Watch, Jigme Gyaltson Vocational High School, which was connected to Ragya Math, was closed by the government in July 2024 in Golok grasslands of Kinghai province in East Tibet.

The HRW report highlighted that the school has a prestigious history of teaching Tibetan language and culture in addition to the Chinese national course, requiring children to understand modern jobs as well as their language and heritage.

In 2007, with the approval of the government, a senior Lama Hamkar Dorje Rinpoche in the same region, which established a comparative vocational school, was reported to be disappeared for a month in December 2024, which was quoted by HRW Was gone he/she probably disappeared in police custody.

Local residents were worried about their good because in May, the authorities along with some 20 followers, another senior lama and teacher in the region, Khenpo Tenpa Dargi were detained. After being freed on 15 December, one of the prisoners, community leader Gonpo Namgyal died three days later, perhaps as a result of misconduct while in custody.

In Eastern Tibet, at least five compassionate vocational schools have been discontinued since 2021, without providing a reason reported by HRW. According to officials, all students need to participate in state schools.

Tibetan children are now educated in sugar from primary school through high school; Pre-primary institutions have also adopted this language policy. Similar to a foreign language, Tibetan is now taught as a separate subject, however, the instructions are still provided. The HRW report states that it goes against both civil and political rights and international covenant on the Chinese constitution, which both protect someone’s right to educate in mother tongue.

According to recent reports cited by HRW, Tibetan youth participating in official schools also receive extensive political instructions and military training. In January 2023, four United Nations special coordination about China’s language and educational practices in Tibet expressed serious concern.