“How China Is Systematically Dismantling Tibetan Education System”, The Commune, December 14, 2025
“On 4 December 2025, Chinese authorities detained educationist Chogtrul Dorje Tenzin, an action that led to the closure of the Minthang Ethnic Vocational School, an institution widely regarded for its role in preserving Tibetan language and cultural traditions. Following the shutdown, students were transferred to state-run boarding schools where instruction is conducted primarily in Mandarin, effectively bringing Tibetan-medium education at the school to an end.
A 2024 report by the Tibetan government-in-exile highlighted a sharp decline in enrolment in Tibetan-medium schools, with student numbers falling from 23,684 in 2012 to 13,035 in 2024. The report attributed the drop to a combination of migration, demographic shifts, and policy changes affecting education.
In this report, we look at 15 incidents between 2014 and 2025 that illustrate the expansion of state control over Tibetan education, including the systematic promotion of Mandarin-language instruction and the phased removal of Tibetan-medium schooling across the region…..”
Read full article at thecommunemag.com
