Sichuan Seda Campus News- Tibetan children fall in love with their “new home”

In an interview with Zhao Changnim, the principal of the East Campus of Seda County Middle School in Sichuan, we explored the unique experience of students from Tibetan pastoral areas. One of the standout stories comes from a ninth-grade student named Ze Rangcuo, who lives over 3,500 meters above sea level and more than 100 kilometers from the school. When she first arrived to study two years ago, it was her first time being so far from home, and she struggled with homesickness. “I really missed my family,” she recalled. However, she quickly fell in love with school life and, in her essay about her experience, wrote, “I will always remember this beautiful school.”

Seda County, located in the northwest of Sichuan’s Ganzi Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, is characterized by its high altitude and sparse population, with some pastoral areas located over 100 kilometers from schools. To alleviate the burden on parents and reduce dropout risks, the local government established 19 boarding schools, providing more than 10,000 Tibetan primary and middle school students with a new home.

During a visit to the East Campus, we found students enjoying breakfast in the cafeteria. The school, which opened in August 2023 and spans across 100 acres, has become a favorite for Ze Rangcuo due to its food offerings, which include egg fried rice or beef fried rice for breakfast, and a meat-and-vegetable combination for lunch and dinner.

With the majority of students hailing from pastoral backgrounds and having diverse living habits, dormitory staff provide hands-on assistance in learning daily chores like making beds, washing clothes, and keeping the facilities clean. Not only do homeroom teachers oversee academic responsibilities, but they also take on the role of caregivers, ensuring students’ overall well-being. When we entered a dormitory, we found it impeccably clean, with toothbrushes and teacups neatly arranged.

For students like eighth-grader Ji Qiong, this careful attention from teachers has been incredibly comforting. She noted that when girls in her class start their menstrual cycles, the dorm staff patiently explain things to ease their fears and provide necessary supplies. Teachers even prepare clean underwear for the students. “Every night, the homeroom teacher waits until we fall asleep before leaving,” she shared.

One of the dormitory supervisors, Lo Rongyongci, who is 35 years old, expressed her warmth towards the students, saying, “I have three children, and I consider these girls my own.” She cherishes the weekends when students unable to return home join her to watch TV, play traditional games, and jump rope. “Those are the happiest moments,” she said. She also recounted an emotional farewell a year ago when graduating girls hugged her and cried, stating, “In that moment, I felt they were truly my children.”

Parents are equally appreciative of the school’s dedicated care. Ji Qiong’s father, Jiatua, a 50-year-old farmer, remarked, “The teachers are very caring. They provide free daily necessities and heating, which makes me feel at ease.” He observed significant changes in his daughter after she began boarding, noting that she has become more responsible with household chores at home.

According to Chen Hu, the head of the Seda County Education and Sports Bureau, the implementation of boarding school systems has resulted in 100% school enrollment for eligible children in the county. “The children eat well, live safely and gain knowledge,” he noted, emphasizing how this shift has also transformed the community’s perspective on education.

Jiatua, who reflects on the struggles of an uneducated past, emphasized the importance of education, stating, “I want my daughter to have a better life than I did.” He believes that boarding school helps children develop good habits, acquire knowledge, and learn moral values.

Every classroom at the East Campus is equipped with electronic blackboards, and some even participate in “live classes” alongside students from Chengdu and Kangding. Principal Zhao Changnim proudly shared that this year saw the school break long-standing records in the entrance examinations.

Outside academics, students can engage in various extracurricular activities such as dance, football, music, traditional Tibetan painting, and basketball. Weekly Tibetan language classes are included in the curriculum to enhance cultural understanding. Tibetan teacher Danbi expressed that learning the language helps students connect more deeply with their heritage.

Amidst a garden filled with blooming Gesang flowers, Principal Zhao noted, “Education is like nurturing flowers; some need more water and some need less, some require abundant sunlight while others thrive in shade. With patience, dreams will gradually blossom.”

Echoing his sentiment, dreams are indeed taking root here: Ze Rangcuo aspires to become a writer to share the legendary stories of King Gesar; Ji Qiong dreams of becoming a dancer performing on grand stages; and ninth grader Long Duo hopes to return to Seda as a teacher or doctor, determined to contribute meaningfully to his hometown and community.