By Tsering Dhundup
DHARAMSHALA, Oct 12: The Education Bureau of the so-called Kardze Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture issued a notification in early September, extending its ban on Tibetan language classes. The notification explicitly forbids Tibetan language instruction from primary to high secondary schools throughout the prefecture, according to rights group Tibet Watch.
This recent prohibition is an extension of a prior directive issued in March, which imposed ban on Tibetan language classes in middle schools within Kardze. As a result, the decision has had a profound impact on Tibetan teachers in the region.
To cope with the new restrictions, Tibetan teachers who are proficient in Mandarin have been reassigned to teach subjects in Chinese language. Meanwhile, educators lacking the necessary Chinese language skills have found themselves marginalized and without teaching opportunities, pushing some to seek employment in neighbouring Ngaba County. Others have contemplated venturing into small business endeavours for their livelihood.
With this latest directive in effect, the students currently in their final year of school will face significant changes. Graduates of this academic year will be compelled to complete their studies and take their final examinations at the Ngaba Nationality Senior High School, which is situated in the neighbouring Ngaba Tibetan and Qiang Autonomous Prefecture. These students represent the last generation that will have the opportunity to study the Tibetan language in schools in Kardze.
