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project summary
tsolho prefecture junior middle school project

project goals & context

teacher conference

Trace Foundation’s longstanding commitment to education focuses on improving the quality of and access to educational opportunities in Tibetan areas of China. Since its inception, Trace Foundation has worked to strengthen Tibetan schools from the primary through postgraduate levels to better prepare students for future academic and employment opportunities. In 2007, Trace Foundation expanded its work with junior middle schools through the Tsolho Prefecture Junior Middle School Project (TJMSP), a three-year initiative to improve the quality of Tibetan-medium instruction at target junior middle schools in Tsolho Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture.

project description

sharing educational techniques

Recognizing the vital importance of junior middle schools in building both students’ capacity for academic achievement and overall confidence, Trace Foundation’s Junior Middle School Projects target areas key to long-term academic success. China’s education policy encourages mother-tongue instruction. Few models exist, however, for successful mother-tongue strategies in Tibetan schools, and many schools lack sufficient resources to implement new ideas. Focusing on four junior middle schools in Tsolho Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture in Qinghai Province, the TJMSP project seeks to partner with education officials, school principals, parents, and teachers to develop a comprehensive, effective, Tibetan-medium education model for implementation at partner schools and for possible replication throughout Qinghai Province. Strategies for the model include:

planned activities

compiling a textbook

Subject-area knowledge: Many teachers in Tibetan medium schools lack sufficient background in the subjects they teach. The TJMSP project will hold a series of intensive training courses at partner schools during summer and winter school breaks focusing on teachers' subject matter understanding.

Student-centered teaching methodology: Student-centered teaching methodology is on the rise in China, creating an interactive, empowering classroom environment. However, many Tibetan-medium schools lack resources to train teachers in these strategies.

Language teaching: Successful Tibetan-medium instruction hinges on high-quality Tibetan and Chinese language ability and teaching methodology skills. English skills are also increasingly important for students' access to higher education and professional opportunities.

School management: Strong management is key to the implementation of mother-tongue instruction. However, most rural school principals lack training to help them administer new models.

Health and hygiene awareness: Healthy students and a hygienic learning environment enable students to make the most of their education.

Student and teacher achievement recognition: A series of student and teacher competitions and awards are designed to encourage high academic achievement and teaching performance.

Access to education: Many promising students abandon their education because they cannot afford school fees. Partner schools have created scholarship funds but cannot yet assist all students in need.

School facilities and resources: Many Tibetan-medium schools suffer from deteriorating infrastructure and a lack of high quality teaching and learning resources—all key to implementing new teaching strategies.

Best practices: The project's overarching goal is to share best practices with other Tibetan medium schools to help strengthen Tibetan-medium education throughout Qinghai Province.

 

project: quick facts

duration:   July 2007 – July 2010

budget:  $1,188,655 USD

location: Qinghai Province,  
Tsolho
(Hainan)
Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, Kungho County, Xinghai County, Tungte County, and Guide County

HPJMSP project partners: