At an altitude nearing 4,000 meters, the Central Primary School in Nyangpo Township, Gongbo’Gyamda County, Nyingchi City, in southwest China’s Xizang Autonomous Region, once faced significant challenges. Established in 1994, the school struggled with inadequate teaching facilities and a high turnover of teachers.
In 2016, a transformative partnership began when schools in Zhongshan City, south China’s Guangdong Province, organized a paired-up assistance program with all primary and secondary schools in Gongbo’Gyamda County. This initiative focused on providing teaching materials and training for teachers, aiming to enhance local education.
Thanks to the assistance from Guangdong, the schools now boast advanced teaching facilities, heating systems, and newly built standard basketball courts and football fields. The improved infrastructure has not only enhanced the learning environment but also inspired students and teachers alike.
The collaboration between Guangdong and Xizang is part of China’s national paired-up assistance strategy initiated 30 years ago. Under this policy, various central state organs, provincial-level regions, and centrally administered state-owned enterprises provide targeted support to specific areas in the region.
Xizang is now the first provincial-level region in China to offer 15 years of public-funded education, spanning from kindergarten to senior high school. A modern education system encompassing preschools, primary and secondary schools, vocational and technical schools, and institutions of higher learning is now established, fostering opportunities for countless youths.
According to recent data, the number of college or university graduates per 100,000 inhabitants in Xizang has risen significantly, while new entries into the region’s workforce now have an average of 13.1 years of education. These developments reflect the substantial investment in education over the past decade, particularly in central and western regions like Xizang.
Beyond making education universally available, China has launched reforms to improve the quality of education and ensure the well-rounded development of students. Initiatives like the “double reduction” policy aim to reduce excessive homework and after-school tutoring, promoting holistic growth.
Schools nationwide are now designing courses that nurture students with sound moral grounding, intellectual ability, physical vigor, aesthetic sensibility, and work skills. These efforts are empowering millions of students to pursue their dreams and contribute to society.
Reference(s):
China's diversified educational system empowering dreams of millions
cgtn.com
