In China’s western regions, the government is sending Tibetan children to boarding schools with the goal of assimilating them into mainstream Chinese culture and instilling loyalty to the Communist Party. Tibetan rights activists and UN experts have criticized this program, stating that it aims to erase Tibetan identity and increase China’s control over a historically resistant population.
Many Tibetan children, as young as six years old, are enrolled in these residential schools where Mandarin is the primary language of instruction, replacing Tibetan language, culture, and traditions. President Xi Jinping has endorsed this initiative, emphasizing the importance of instilling Chinese national identity in children from a young age.
Despite Chinese officials claiming that enrollment in these schools is voluntary, reports indicate that Tibetan families have little choice in the matter and are often separated from their children for extended periods. The schools have been criticized for causing psychological harm to students and perpetuating cultural erasure.
The schools heavily emphasize political indoctrination, celebrating events like “Serfs’ Emancipation Day” to promote Chinese government narratives about Tibet’s history. Reports of physical abuse and neglect in these schools have also surfaced, raising concerns about the well-being of Tibetan children.
Critics argue that the Chinese government’s push for assimilation through these boarding schools poses a threat to Tibetan cultural identity and represents a form of forced assimilation. The program has faced international scrutiny and condemnation for its impact on Tibetan children and families.