Ethnic Minority Education in China Finding a Path...

Ethnic Minority Education in China: Finding a Path between Tradition and Development Introduction Educating a nation is no simple task. Even in the United States—which boasts a substantial tradition of public education, political stability, economic prosperity and a strong middle class—issues such gender and racial equality, diversity, and budget reality still cause continuous debate. For a nation like China, the task of educating its people is even more daunting. China has a population of 1.3 billion, an economy that is still developing, and thus even more stringent budget constraints. And although abandoning command economics for the free market in 1977 allowed double-digit economic growth through the 90’s, the now-uneven†¦show more content†¦It is no coincidence that many of the poorest and least-educated areas in China today are heavily populated by ethnic minorities. To begin with, not all minority groups are motivated to seek education—for some, such as nomadic tribes, the uniform national curriculum in China has little bearing on l ife within the minority society. Others, such as the Tibetans, traditionally favor religious education for boys, and discourage education for girls (Lee, 40). For minorities who are not indifferent to formal education, structural barriers persist. Minority children often grow up speaking their native tongue, which puts them at a disadvantage in the Mandarin-oriented system of formal education. Many fall behind early, and drop out because they lose hope in ever catching up. Poverty is another barrier against educational advance, especially given the fact that market reforms have taken away many of the services that used to be provided by the state. Public education is no longer free, so many children leave school because greater output on the farm results in more income for the family. Also, since minorities are not subject to China’s one-child policy, having a greater number of children often means that the family cannot afford to send them all to school. Within the r egion or village, shortage of funds means that schools, qualified teachers, and adequate facilities are often few and farShow MoreRelated Myanmar: A Nation in Crisis Essay5123 Words   |  21 Pagesa dangerous downward spiral. First, however, it is important to understand Burma’s political history. A History of Burma The ancestors of the people of Myanmar migrated down along the Irrawaddy River from Tibet and China, and they brought with them cultural traditions stemming from India. The Mon, at around 3000 B.C., were the first people to come. They established centers of settlement in central Myanmar, in the Irrawaddy delta, and farther down the eastern coast of the Bay of Bengal. TheyRead MoreOn Mother-Daughter Relationship in the Women Warrior6552 Words   |  27 Pagesphenomenon. 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