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Record 10,500 Tibetan Students Enroll in China's 'Tibet Classes' in 2025

Chinese government data shows a record enrollment of over 10,500 Tibetan students in specialized "Tibet Classes" across major Chinese cities in 2025. The program, which includes junior, senior, and vocational middle school levels, has expanded to 129 schools nationwide. Chinese authorities frame it as addressing educational gaps, but Tibetan groups condemn it as a tool for political indoctrination and cultural assimilation. Enrollment in these classes has accelerated significantly since 2023.

Key Points: Record Tibetan Student Enrollment in China's 'Tibet Classes'

  • Record 10,500+ enrollments in 2025
  • Program operates in 129 schools across 23 provinces
  • Critics allege political indoctrination and assimilation
  • Enrollment accelerated after 2023
2 min read

Record 10,500 Tibetan students enrol for 'Tibet classes' across Chinese cities

Over 10,500 Tibetan students enrolled in special classes across Chinese cities in 2025, a record high that critics call cultural assimilation.

"The students' enrolment has increased at an average annual rate of 9.9 per cent over the past three years. - Tibetan Review report"

New Delhi, Jan 25

The number of Tibetan students having enrolled in 'Tibet classes' across many Chinese cities has seen a sharp rise this year, setting a new record and also raising apprehension about attempts to sinicise the indigenous population of Tibet.

According to Chinese government figures released in a report by the Education Bureau of the Tibet Autonomous Region (TAR), as cited by Tibetan Review, more than 10,000 Tibetan students were admitted to the so-called "Tibet Classes" in major Chinese cities in 2025. This marks the highest annual intake since the programme began years ago.

"In 2025, about 2,000 Tibetan students were enrolled in junior middle school classes in China, with the total number of classes increased to 150. Likewise, a total of 4,500 Tibetan students were stated to have been enrolled in senior middle school classes in China, and the number of such classes increased to 205," the report stated.

"Also, a total of 4,000 Tibetan students were enrolled in middle vocational education schools in China, with the number of such classes increased to 223," it added.

The data indicates a significant rise in the number of specialised classes and institutions created under the programme.

Among the students enrolled for various programs, more than 3,000 hail from the TAR region, while about 800 students come from Tsongon (Qinghai) Province, a significant portion of the traditional Tibetan region of Amdo.

According to the report, the enrollmentof Tibet Classes accelerated after 2023. The students' enrolment has increased at an average annual rate of 9.9 per cent over the past three years.

Chinese officials described this as a policy framework of "three increments, three coverages, and one standardisation". However, Tibetan organisations and rights groups were highly critical of the program as they viewed it as a tool for political indoctrination and cultural assimilation.

The Tibet Class system was first introduced in 1984, with Beijing citing limited educational development and a shortage of skilled personnel in Tibetan areas as justification.

As of 2025, 129 Tibet Class schools were operating across 23 provinces and 60 provincial-level cities in China, enrolling a total of 25,000 Tibetan students.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

A
Arjun K
The numbers are staggering. 10,500 students is not a small figure. If the intent was purely educational, why the need for such a massive, centralized program outside their homeland? It reminds me of certain colonial-era policies aimed at cultural assimilation. The apprehension mentioned in the article is valid.
R
Rohit P
On one hand, access to education in major cities could provide better career prospects for Tibetan youth. But the fear of 'sinicisation' is real. A balanced approach would be to massively invest in quality education *within* Tibet, preserving their language and culture while providing modern skills. This current model seems one-sided.
S
Sarah B
Reading this from a distance, the pattern is clear. "Three increments, three coverages, one standardisation" sounds like bureaucratic jargon for a homogenization policy. When will governments learn that diversity is a strength, not a weakness? Forced assimilation never ends well.
V
Vikram M
As an Indian, this hits close to home given our own diverse fabric. We understand the importance of preserving cultural heritage. Uprooting thousands of students from their traditional regions for education is a questionable method. Development should empower, not erase. 🕊️
K
Karthik V
The article mentions the program started due to a "shortage of skilled personnel" in Tibetan areas. Wouldn't the logical, respectful solution be to train teachers and build excellent institutions there? Sending students away in such large numbers for decades solves nothing for the region's long-term development. It only creates a dependency.

We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.

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