– On the eve of the implementation of China’s new “ethnic unity” law, reports have emerged from Tibet that the Gangjong Sherig Academy in Gade County, Golok Prefecture (Tibetan: མགོ་ལོག Chinese: Guoluo), was forced to close on June 24th (1). The school was founded in 2008 by the late Tulku Hungkar Dorjee Rinpoche with a speciality in Tibetan culture. A county Statistical Bulletin cites it as the only institution in the county providing a senior high school-level education (2); senior secondary students will now be compelled to enroll in state-run boarding schools (3) with a highly politicized curriculum and Mandarin-only instruction.

“The sudden shutdown of yet another renowned Tibetan school – in this case the only senior high school in the area – showcases China’s escalating moves to stamp out Tibetan identity, language and culture as its ethnic erasure law comes into effect on July 1st,” said Lhadon Tethong, Director of Tibet Action Institute. “The Chinese government is trying to close off all avenues to a Tibetan education, laying bare the truth that forcing Tibetan children into colonial boarding schools is about indoctrination, not access to education.”