September 27th this year，Chinese government publish a document called "National Program of Action for Child Development in China (2020-2030)". This is an important document that reveals the China children education policy in the next decade.
10 years ago, a similar document was published: "National Program of Action for Child Development in China (2010-2020)". There was an important paragraph in it:
"尊重和保障少数民族儿童使用本民族语言接受教育的权利，重视加强学前双语教育。"
Translation: "Respect and protect the right of ethnic minority children to receive education in their own language, and pay attention to strengthening preschool bilingual education."
But in this year's "National Program of Action for Child Development in China (2020-2030)", the paragraph above is removed. Now it only says:
"提高民族地区教育质量和水平，加大国家通用语言文字推广力度。"
Translation: "Improve the quality and level of education in ethnic minority areas and strengthen the promotion of the national common language."
Needless to say, "national common language" is mandarin. No mentions of ethnic minority's own language can be found in this year's version.
This seems like a simple text modification, but the implication is clear. Who knows how many people's lives will be affected. Most posters here are familiar with Uygur situation, but China has 56 officially certified ethnic minorities. In terms of population, Uygur is the fourth biggest. Some of you should have already heard that China has begun to drive Mongolia language out of the education system.
I have yet to found good enough English news coverage about this subject, but for anyone knows Chinese, or has Chinese language-capable friends, you can read these websites to verify it:
National Program of Action for Child Development in China (2010-2020)
http://www.scio.gov.cn/ztk/xwfb/46/11/Document/976030/976030_2.htm
National Program of Action for Child Development in China (2020-2030)
https://m.thepaper.cn/baijiahao_14681199
report from HK media:
10 years ago, a similar document was published: "National Program of Action for Child Development in China (2010-2020)". There was an important paragraph in it:
"尊重和保障少数民族儿童使用本民族语言接受教育的权利，重视加强学前双语教育。"
Translation: "Respect and protect the right of ethnic minority children to receive education in their own language, and pay attention to strengthening preschool bilingual education."
But in this year's "National Program of Action for Child Development in China (2020-2030)", the paragraph above is removed. Now it only says:
"提高民族地区教育质量和水平，加大国家通用语言文字推广力度。"
Translation: "Improve the quality and level of education in ethnic minority areas and strengthen the promotion of the national common language."
Needless to say, "national common language" is mandarin. No mentions of ethnic minority's own language can be found in this year's version.
This seems like a simple text modification, but the implication is clear. Who knows how many people's lives will be affected. Most posters here are familiar with Uygur situation, but China has 56 officially certified ethnic minorities. In terms of population, Uygur is the fourth biggest. Some of you should have already heard that China has begun to drive Mongolia language out of the education system.
I have yet to found good enough English news coverage about this subject, but for anyone knows Chinese, or has Chinese language-capable friends, you can read these websites to verify it:
National Program of Action for Child Development in China (2010-2020)
http://www.scio.gov.cn/ztk/xwfb/46/11/Document/976030/976030_2.htm
National Program of Action for Child Development in China (2020-2030)
https://m.thepaper.cn/baijiahao_14681199
report from HK media:
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