Tibetan Education: Bilingual schools established to promote protection of Tibetan culture

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Preserving local traditions and cultures in Tibet is no easy task. But the local government has established schools where students can learn Mandarin and Tibetan languages at the same time, to protect the region's culture. Our correspondent Sean Callebs takes us to one of these bilingual schools.

15-year-old Dawa Baimu is working towards something her parents could never dream of, a formal education.

DAWA BAIMU, STUDENT JIA HANG MIDDLE SCHOOL "My favorite subject is biology – I think we have less grass here but more yaks to feed in my hometown, the grass is not rich enough, - so I want to study to help the grass thrive."

A noble goal in a society, that has always revolves around yak and the nomadic way of life.

This school is one of a growing number in Tibet, that also labels itself, "bilingual"–meaning students learn Mandarin and Tibetan, in an effort to help preserve their rich culture. Baima Danzeng has been teaching the Tibetan language here for nearly a decade.

BAIMA DANZENG TIBETAN LANGUAGE TEACHER "Studying Tibetan language is of great importance for the students and their parents, after graduation they could serve the people in the Tibetan area."

It is a common sight in middle schools throughout China, students lining up for daily workout. China has made education, and poverty alleviation key in this region, which means attention to Mandarin. But in recent years, the focus has been on Tibetan tradition and culture as well.

JIAYANG LUOBU JIA HANG MIDDLE SCHOOL PRINCIPAL "From the whole Tibet Autonomous Region, to our school – we all attach great importance to bilingual teaching. The common language is mandarin, in our country –it is widely used in every way, such as finding a job. But governments in different levels also give lots of attention on Tibetan culture protection."

Tibet is changing. There is construction, development, and more nomadic people are voluntarily relocating to cities, and larger towns for better housing and the promise of better jobs. For Dawa Baimu, one more reason to preserve her culture.

DAWA BAIMU, STUDENT JIA HANG MIDDLE SCHOOL "People seldom know about our culture now -- so I want to be a Tibetan language teacher when I grow older, so I can pass down our culture."

This facility, really, is a boarding school. Students like Dawa, stay here for weeks at a time, hours away from their families. While the library boasts a selection of Tibetan topics – Dawa says she wrestles with the pangs of being homesick.

DAWA BAIMU, STUDENT JIA HANG MIDDLE SCHOOL "When I feel sad, I will look up at the blue sky – I will feel that the sky is so big –why am I feeling sad –just because of one small thing? We also have white clouds, and high mountains – so when I see those snowcapped mountains ---I feel relaxed and happy."

And, she knows she is also broadening her own horizon –at the same time.

Sean Callebs, CGTN, Nagqu City, Tibet.