In a chilling display of authoritarian control, the Chinese government has forcibly closed the esteemed Gangjong Sherig Norbu School in Amdo Province Tibet. Founded by Ragya Jigmey Gyaltsen, this 30-year-old institution stood as a beacon of Tibetan culture, language, and education. The school’s sudden closure has left its students and faculty in a state of shock and grief, with heart-wrenching images of tearful farewells circulating widely.
This latest crackdown is part of a broader and more sinister strategy by the Chinese government to erode Tibetan identity. Under the guise of rooting out religious figures from schools, Beijing has systematically targeted Tibetan educational institutions, aiming to assimilate Tibetan children into Han Chinese culture from a young age. The closure of Gangjong Sherig Norbu School is not an isolated incident but a continuation of the colonial boarding school programs designed to sever Tibetan children from their cultural roots and indoctrinate them with state propaganda.
The Gangjong Sherig Norbu School had a rich history of academic excellence and cultural preservation. Over its three decades, it produced numerous graduates who went on to become scholars, teachers, and professionals, contributing significantly to the Tibetan community’s intellectual and cultural wealth. Its forced shutdown marks a tragic loss for Tibetan education and a blatant violation of human rights.
This oppressive act comes at a time when the international community, especially the United States, has started to take notice of China’s atrocities in Tibet. The recent passing of the Tibet Resolve Act by the U.S. Congress, which aims to support the preservation of Tibetan culture and the rights of the Tibetan people, highlights the growing global recognition of China’s aggressive policies in the region. However, as the closure of Gangjong Sherig Norbu School demonstrates, much more needs to be done to protect Tibetan identity and autonomy.
