Since the peaceful liberation of Tibet in 1951, education has undergone a fundamental change. The old educational system having religious doctrines as its main theme has been replaced by a modern system that emphasizes scientific and technological knowledge.

Currently in Tibet, there are 2,538 schools. They include three higher educational institutions, 15 polytechnic schools, 68 middle schools and 2,398 primary schools. Of the 170,000 students, minorities account for 88.6 percent.

To promote the development of modern education, the state has allocated money for scholarships. Therefore, all the students are receiving an education free of charge.

Special attention has been paid to teaching students in the Tibetan language, with education in primary schools mainly conducted in Tibetan. The curriculum of middle schools includes courses in the Tibetan language and literature. Tibet's universities and colleges provide classes in the Tibetan language and literature, history, medicine, religion, art and astronomy.

Since 1984, the state has provided funds to start more than 100 classes aimed specifically at training professionals for Tibet in some universities in the hinterland. More than 6,400 students who come from Tibet are studying at universities and colleges of other provinces and municipalities. Several universities and colleges throughout China have established ties with Tibet in order to help train people for the autonomous region. The amount of money spent on education in Tibet has increased steadily, reaching 143 million yuan in 1989. After 1959, the state has allocated 950 million yuan to Tibet, guaranteeing improved conditions in education. Today, Tibet owns six ground receivers for educational satellites. Some schools of higher learning, polytechnic and middle schools are now complete with modern libraries, language training rooms and computer centers. Middle schools have been equipped with TV sets, laboratories for classes of physics, chemistry and biology and other teaching facilities. Even the key primary schools have modernized their teaching facilities.

(July 4, 1990)

(This article appears on page 38, No. 34, 1990)