Appendix 3: Relevant International Law


The following questionnaire was used as a standard minimum guide for all of the interviews. Children without a high level of English answered by means of translators. The interviews were conducted at the upper Tibetan Children's Village (TCV) in Dharamsala, the Tibetan Reception Centre in McLeod Ganj and the TCV Bir, all situated in northern India. All children, except four, requested us to maintain their anonymity for fear of reprisals of the Chinese authorities against their parents or relatives and it was decided therefore that all names would be withheld. All of the interviewed children live now in exile in India.


Personal information

    Name [withheld]           Sex
    Age
    Region
    Parents occupation and monthly income
    Classes (up to what grade) attended in Tibet
    Time of departure from Tibet
    Reasons for leaving Tibet


Questions concerning primary school (lobchung)

    Did you visit a mangtsug or a Schungtsug school ?
    What percentage of the teachers were Chinese?
    What percentage of the students were Chinese?
    What was the general teaching language in your class?
    Did you have any Tibetan language classes ?
    Did you have any subjects relating to Tibetan culture/religion/history ?
    What did your classroom look like ?
    Did you understand Chinese well enough in order to follow the lessons?


Questions concerning middle school (lobdring)

    For how many years did you visit a lobdring ?
    Did you have to pass an entry exam in order to be admitted at your lobdring?
    In what subjects did you have to pass your entrance exam?
    Was your Chinese good enough to pass your entrance exam?
    Do you think that the chances of the Chinese students were better to enter your lobdring? Why do you think so?
    What percentage of the teachers were Chinese/Tibetan?
    What percentage of the students were Chinese/Tibetan?
    What was the general teaching language in your class?
    Did you have any Tibetan language classes ?
    Did you have any subjects relating to Tibetan culture/religion/history ?
    Did you have the necessary means of transport to visit your lobdring ?
    Was your Lobdring school a boarding school including food and accommodation?


Questions concerning higher education

    For how many years did you receive higher education ?
    Do you think that the chances of the Chinese students were better to receive higher education? Why?
    What percentage of the teachers were Chinese?
    What percentage of the students were Chinese?
    What was the general teaching language ?
    Did you have any Tibetan language classes ?
    Did you have any subjects relating to Tibetan culture/religion/history ?


General questions concerning your school period in Tibet

    Did you feel generally discriminated by the teachers? If so, how?
    Did you feel that the Chinese students were provided better books or other facilities?
    Were you called names by your teacher or fellow students?
    How were you punished by your teacher?
    Have you ever been punished by your teacher because of being Tibetan ?
    Were you ever expelled from school ?
    Did you feel that girls were treated in a different way by the teachers ?
    Have you ever felt indoctrinated during lessons? In what way?
    Did any of your exams depend on ideological questions ?
    Did you ever have to renounce your Tibetan background / the Dalai Lama ?
    Were you able to honour Tibetan holidays ?
    Were you allowed to wear Tibetan clothes in school ?
    Were your parents free to choose schools for you ?
    Were you allowed to attend a monastic school ?
    Did you receive food and accommodation at school ?
    Did you have any access to international information?
    Were you ever forced to spy on your family/neighbours ? If so, how?
    Were you obliged to visit youth groups or other political assemblies organised by the Chinese?
    What kind of school fees did your parents have to pay ? How much did the Chinese students pay?
    What is the difference between your schooling in Tibet and the TCV?
    Do you have any questions or other additions?

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Last updated: 29-Sept-97