Trace Foundation works with local educators to address the needs of rural area schools and to identify long-term, sustainable interventions. We aim for long-term impact by strengthening rural schools through such means as assisting educators to develop new skills, expanding the curriculum to include vocational skills, providing exam preparation classes, and offering incentive awards to students.

Some foundation initiatives provide talented students from rural areas with special educational opportunities. At the Tongren Nationalities Middle School in Tongren, Huangnan Prefecture, two classes of senior middle school students from rural areas of Qinghai Province are following a curriculum that includes a bilingual science program and intensive preparation for university entrance.

Some of the foundation's local partners have identified acute needs that require more immediate solutions than the long-term strategies outlined above. Where appropriate to the local situation, the foundation offers short-term support such as student stipends and infrastructure improvements. Grants to provide tuition fees and living stipends to students who face financial difficulties are usually in the form of a central fund administered by the institution or the local education bureau. Infrastructure or equipment support to schools is only provided within the context of an integrated project that involves the community in multifaceted development.

Recent Grants in Rural Education

Tongren Nationalities Middle School
Tongren (Rebkong), Huangnan (Malho) Prefecture, Qinghai (Tsong'on) Province

For the support of two classes at Tongren Nationalities Middle School over a three-year period with an emphasis on study of language and the sciences. The school recruited students, managed classes and teaching staff, and supervised students.

Amount of Support: $166,995

Hulangcheng Village
Minhe (Kamalog) County, Haidong (Tsoshar) Prefecture, Qinghai (Tsongon) Province

For the renovation of Hulangcheng Primary School and Dongling Primary School. Local partners provided a new playground and contributed $9,685 towards the construction of teachers' quarters at Hulangcheng Primary School. At Dongling Primary School, villagers constructed an enclosing wall, and contributed food for skilled laborers and 425 days of construction work, to the total value of $772.

Amount of Support: $12,275 (of which $3,156 was spent on Dongling School)

Ganzi Prefecture Government
Kangding (Dartsedo) County, Ganzi (Kandze) Prefecture, Sichuan Province

For a four-year training program to train 100 teachers as bilingual Chinese/Tibetan science teachers in middle schools. The local partner selected participants in the training, paid salaries and transportation fees, and arranged job assignments following graduation.

Amount of Support: $101,205

Ganzi Prefecture Government
Ganzi (Kandze) Prefecture, Sichuan Province

For government-administered higher education scholarships to students in Ganzi Prefecture for the academic years 1999-2000, 2000-2001 and 2001-2002. Ganzi Prefecture Government selected recipients for financial aid and distributed funds.

Amount of Support: $169,595

Luhuo Tibetan Middle School
Luhuo County, Ganzi (Kandze) Prefecture, Sichuan Province

For the provision of vocational arts classes in traditional Tibetan painting, drawing and woodcarving techniques for ninety students for one academic year. The school contributed $1,453 towards instructors' salary costs and wood for woodcarving to the value of $327.

Amount of Support: $3,990

Gyalten Primary School
Ganzi (Kandze) County, Ganzi (Kandze) Prefecture, Sichuan Province

For four students to study Tibetan medicine at the Tibetan Medical College in Lhasa, Tibet Autonomous Region for one year.

Amount of Support: $3,818

Xikang Welfare School
Kangding (Dartsedo) County, Ganzi (Kandze) Prefecture, Sichuan Province

Towards the costs of construction and establishment of a boarding school for 100 orphaned children. The school also raised funds within China to meet additional costs.

Amount of Support: $150,792

Yangjuan Yi Primary School
Yanyuan County, Liangshan Prefecture, Sichuan Province

Towards costs of construction and establishment of a primary school and initiation of extra curricular, community-based educational activities. This grant contributed to the school's initial set-up budget of $60,000.

Amount of Support: $20,000

Naqu Prefecture Vocational Training Schools
Naqu (Nagchu) Prefecture, Tibet Autonomous Region

For a one-year training program for in-service teachers at community-run (min-ban) primary schools. Local partners selected participants, paid their salaries during training, organized training (including administrative and computer skills), and provided classroom facilities and living accommodation.

Amount of Support: $16,350

Biru County Government
Biru (Driru) County, Naqu (Nagchu) District, Tibet Autonomous Region

For the training of 55 teachers at community-run (min-ban) primary schools: 35 in-service teachers during summer and winter vacations and 20 new teachers in a six-month training course. Local partners selected participants, paid in-service teachers' salaries during training, organized training (including administrative skills), provided classroom facilities and living accommodation, and arranged job assignments for new teachers.

Amount of Support: $14,866

Tibet Autonomous Region Tibetan Medical College
Lhasa, Tibet Autonomous Region

For financial aid to 54 impoverished students for one academic year. TAR Tibetan Medical College selected the financial aid recipients based on their economic situation and academic performance. The college set up a committee to select students and manage and distribute grant funds.

Amount of Support: $7,360