More Education Opportunities for Ethnic Minorities in Inner MongoliaThe Inner Mongolian Autonomous Region in north China is succeeding in creating more opportunities for students of ethnic groups to receive quality education in their own languages.According to governmental statistics, the number of students with ethnic minority backgrounds in various types of schools in Inner Mongolia has reached 724,000, which is higher than the ratio of the minority portion of the whole population in the region. Zhang Shuxun, dean of the education department of the region, said that government has policies giving priority to ethnic minorities education and has Mongolian schools in farming and pastoral areas. Bilingual schools were set up in towns and cities. The textbooks have been translated into the Mongolian language for schools of various kinds. A considerably complete education system for ethnic groups has been established ranging from elementary to higher education, from academic to professional education, said Zhang. The reform of ethnic education has resulted also in improved education quality and the rapid growth of vocational ethnic education, and there are more job options available for ethnic students, who have been educated in the Mongolian language. Resources show that the region boasts 57,000 teachers specialized in ethnic group education, accounting for 21 percent of the teachers in total. Higher education has developed rapidly and Mongolian students or those from other ethnic groups can get an education in their own language. They can choose about 34 majors at 11 colleges and universities in the region that provide a Mongolian background. |
| People's Daily Online --- http://english.peopledaily.com.cn/ |