The Economist: Why are so many Tibetan children in state-run boarding schools?

Original article: https://www.economist.com/podcasts/2024/07/02/why-are-so-many-tibetan-children-in-state-run-boarding-schools

In the July 2, 2024 episode of The Economist’s “Drum Tower” podcast, David Rennie, The Economist’s Beijing bureau chief, and James Miles, China writer-at-large, discuss China’s efforts to reshape the identities of Tibetan children. The episode delves into how the Chinese government uses state-run boarding schools to teach Tibetan children primarily in Mandarin Chinese rather than their native Tibetan language.

The conversation includes insights from Dr. Gyal Lo and Tenzin Dorjee (Tendor) of the Tibet Action Institute. They highlight the cultural implications of this policy, noting that it disrupts the children’s connection to their Tibetan heritage and erodes their cultural identity. The episode raises concerns about the long-term impact of such assimilation practices on Tibetan culture and traditions.

For more details, you can listen to the episode on platforms like Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and Google Podcasts (Acast) (pod.link | Share a Podcast) (PlayPodcast) (goloudnow.com) .

Excerpts from The Economist’s “Drum Tower” podcast: “Assimilation Through Education: Tibetan Boarding Schools in China”