A Tibetan pupil´s school day

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Source: CCTV.com | 04-03-2008 09:17

Haicheng primary school is one of three schools in Lhasa attacked by rioters two weeks ago. Rooms were set on fire, windows smashed, and the lives of its students and teachers were endangered. Luckily, none of them was injured. Now, as life gets back to normal in Lhasa, CCTV reporter Wang Xin bring us this story about one young Tibetan student.

Class begins at nine. And about 50 fifth graders start their day by reading English out loud. Four out of five are Tibetan, including Kunchok Gyaltsen.

Class begins at nine. And about 50 fifth graders start their day by reading English out loud. Four out of five are Tibetan, including Kunchok Gyaltsen.

Kunchok and his classmates receive English lessons twice a week in a very Tibetan environment. Pronunciation is his teacher's top priority. For that, Kunckok is doing just fine.

Singing is next on the schedule. Instruments are few, but that doesn't stop the young voices from expressing their gratitude to their teachers.

The artwork done in the next 40 minutes give wings to the young imaginations. Here are some examples of what they create.

The artwork done in the next 40 minutes give wings to the young imaginations. Here are some examples of what they create.

Like schools in big cities, computer skills are compulsory. The hardware is donated by cities like Beijing and Shanghai. Kunckok is more adept at using computers than most of his classmates and he's always ready to help them learn.

After the morning classes there is time for some fun before lunch. Skipping ropes is usually reserved for the girls, but they don't seem to mind Kunckok joining in. After the fear they experienced on that violent afternoon two weeks ago, the damage done to the school are not affecting their mood.

In the afternoon there are lessons in the Tibetan language -- a compulsory course throughout Kunckok's six years' of primary schooling. With six classes per week, the course is as long as the Mandarin classes.

At 5pm, the day is over and parents greet the children outside the school -- which has been the practice for the past two weeks due to safety concerns. Kunckok's grand father came to take him home. Hopefully, Kunckok and his classmates schooling will not be interrupted again.

Editor:Zhang Ning