Chinese authorities have reportedly mandated that parents of over 300 students, aged 6 to 14, of Lhamo Kirti Monastery School in Dzoge County in China's Sichuan Province, to enrol their children in state-run boarding schools.
Two sources in Tibet told RFA that parents were compelled to sign documents confirming their children’s enrolment in these state-run braiding schools. They were also instructed not to enrol their children in any other schools or monasteries until adulthood, in accordance with Article 16 of China’s Law on the Protection of Minors. This law states that parents unable to fulfil their guardianship duties must appoint other capable adults to act as guardians.
Additionally, authorities have prohibited Lhamo Kirti Monastery School from reopening since May this year. Despite parents pleading for the school to be reopened, citing compliance with Chinese law, the authorities refused and accused them of brainwashing their children. Efforts were made to allow another 200 students, aged 15 to 18, to continue their education at the monastery school, but only until September, according to one source. The authorities have also imposed stringent restrictions on the monastery, subjecting the students’ parents to various forms of harassment.