Xizang govt plans prioritize education

The Xizang autonomous region will roll out a package of education upgrades from 2026, including free preschool education in rural areas, higher per-student funding and expanded investment in schools and higher education, regional officials said.

The initiative builds on a student aid system that supported more than 2.13 million students in 2025, according to official figures.

In 2026, the per-student funding standard for preschool education will rise from 380 yuan ($55) to 1,000 yuan. Investment in compulsory education will also increase, with 51 primary and secondary schools and related facilities planned for construction or renovation to promote more balanced urban-rural development, according to the regional government.

Delivering the regional government work report, Karma Tsetan, chairman of the region, said education subsidies had been raised four times over the past five years, making education a central focus of social and economic development.

The higher education sector is also earmarked for further upgrades. Authorities plan to expand undergraduate programs and strengthen vocational education, with construction of a new campus for Xizang Vocational Technical College already underway.

In addition, several institutional changes were achieved in 2025, including the elevation of Xizang Agricultural and Animal Husbandry College to university status and the opening of a vocational and technical college in the city of Shigatse.

The region's department of education said in a recent report that Xizang has successfully implemented the "three complete coverages" student aid framework, according to People's Daily.

The system provides support across all educational levels, from kindergarten to university, and applies to both public and private institutions. It focuses particularly on students from economically disadvantaged families, ensuring they can continue their studies without financial constraints before, during or after enrollment.

Official figures show that by 2025, more than 5.27 billion yuan in student aid had been allocated, benefiting over 2.13 million students across the region. During the current academic year, the region continues to fully implement its 15-year free education policy along with the "sanbao" program.

Chodron, a mother of two in Palding village near Lhasa, said her children benefit from the "sanbao" program, which covers meals, school fees and accommodation. "The government also provides textbooks, uniforms and learning materials, making it much easier for our family," she said.

At the higher education level, students benefit from a comprehensive support system that includes scholarships, grants, loans, work-study programs and tuition waivers.

From the autumn semester of 2025, the annual per-student standard under the "sanbao" program rose to 4,700 yuan, with higher subsidies for special education.

Penba Drolma, a student at Xizang University of Tibetan Medicine, said the policies have allowed children from rural communities to pursue education without financial pressure. "Thanks to the 'sanbao' policy, I received free education from kindergarten through middle school," she said. "Even at university, we have access to scholarships and financial aid. These policies have greatly reduced the burden on families like mine."