Photo taken on July 11, 2021 shows the 48^th Press Conference on Xinjiang-related Issues in Urumqi, capital of northwest China’s Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. Photo by Xinjiang Daily/ Zhou Peng

On July 11^th of 2021, the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region held a special press conference on Xinjiang related issues in Xinjiang. Six representatives of ethnic groups from Bayingolin Mongolian Autonomous Prefecture, Aksu Prefecture, Kizilsu Kirgiz Autonomous Prefecture, Kashgar Prefecture and Hotan Prefecture were invited to talk about their own experiences of voluntarily receiving education and actively seeking for knowledge, as well as the information relating to boarding schools. All the information strongly refutes the absurd argument that "Xinjiang forced children of ethnic groups to attend boarding schools, resulting in the separation between the children and their families".

Photo taken on July 11, 2021 shows Elijan Anayat, spokesman of People’s Government of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region answers questions at the 48^th Press Conference on Xinjiang-related Issues in Urumqi, capital of northwest China’s Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. Photo by Xinjiang Daily/ Zhou Peng

Elijan Anayat: Greetings, journalists and friends from the media! Welcome to the press conference on Xinjiang related issues of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. I'm Elijan Anayat, spokesman of the people's government of the autonomous region.

Recently, some anti-China forces in the United States and the West have ignored the well-being of the people of all ethnic groups brought by the development of education in Xinjiang, and they have deliberately fabricated lies such as "Xinjiang forced ethnic groups children to attend boarding schools, resulting in the separation between the children and their families", in an attempt to discredit the image of Xinjiang in the world and find excuses for the plot of "suppressing China through Xinjiang". In fact, there is no difference between boarding schools in Xinjiang and boarding schools in other parts of the world. Besides, our students have been offered a better life in school..

Xinjiang attaches great importance to education and insists on giving priority to the development of education. Education of all kinds have achieved a higher level of popularization and development of higher quality at all levels. The overall level of education is in the best and fastest developmental stage in history. In recent years, Xinjiang has continuously increased investment in education and continued to education policies designed to benefit the people. The teaching buildings of schools in southern Xinjiang are often the best buildings in the local area.

While strengthening the hardware construction, in order to promote education equity and promote the students of all ethnic groups in Xinjiang, especially the rural students, to obtain high-quality educational resources, Xinjiang has introduced excellent teachers from other provinces and cities to help Xinjiang, bringing advanced education concepts and teaching methods to all parts of Xinjiang; teachers in Xinjiang were trained in Beijing, Shanghai and other Xinjiang-aiding provinces and cities. Their overall level was improved through on-the-spot observation and pair learning; we have also implemented the special post plan of the central government and the autonomous region to continuously optimize the structure of teachers; with the popularization of modern educational technology, rural students can share high-quality educational resources with urban students through the Internet.

In recent years, in accordance with the provisions of the Education Law of the People's Republic of China and the Law on the Standard Spoken and Written Chinese Language of the People’s Republic of China, the teaching of standard spoken and written Chinese language has been carried out in the whole region, and remarkable results have been achieved. At the same time, according to the requirements of the national curriculum plan for primary and secondary schools, Xinjiang has set up courses in primary and secondary schools, such as Uygur, Kazakh, Mongolian, Kirgiz, Xibe, etc., which fully guarantee the ethnic groups students' right to learn and use their own language and effectively promote the inheritance and development of ethnic groups language and culture.

Today, we have invited: Mirigul Mamatimin, a teacher of No.8 Primary School in Yuli County of Bayingolin Mongolian Autonomous Prefecture; Tusungul Turdi, a teacher of the Little Pomegranate Kindergarten in Aketao County of Kizilsu Kirgiz Autonomous Prefecture, Adil Amar, a staff member of Statistics Bureau of Awati County in Aksu Region; Tunsahan Osman, a staff of poverty-stricken college student employment and entrepreneurship program in Yutian County of Hotan Region; Hanaysham Yimir, a citizen of Kuche City in Aksu Region; Nurbiya Anwar, the director of the Central Kindergarten in Aqike Township of Yopurga County in Kashgar Region. Now, let’s welcome them to talk about their personal experience and current life.

Elijan Anayat: Recently, in order to discredit Xinjiang, American and Western anti-China forces have tried for every means and they coined groundless accusations that boarding education in Xinjiang is "inter-generational isolation". In fact, whether sending the children to boarding schools in Xinjiang is entirely decided by their parents. The school has never restricted the contact between students and their parents, and there are telephones installed in each dormitory building to facilitate students to contact their parents at any time. The head teacher's phone calls are also announced to parents, and parents can call to learn about the situation of children in school. The students spend weekends and winter and summer holidays at home. Parents who want to see their children can go to school to see them at any time. There is no so-called "separation between the children and their families". Mirigul Mamatimin is a teacher who is in charge of the work of boarding students. Through her work, she provides school- boarding children with a good living environment and nutritious meals, which has won the praise of students and parents. Now, let's invite Mirigul Mamatimin, a teacher of No.8 primary school in Yuli County of Bayingolin Mongolian Autonomous Prefecture, to tell her story.

Photo taken on July 11, 2021 shows Mirigul Mamat speaks at the 48^th Press Conference on Xinjiang-related Issues in Urumqi, capital of northwest China’s Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. Photo by Xinjiang Daily/ Zhou Peng

Mirigul Mamatimin: Hello, everyone! My name is Mirigul Mamatimin. I'm 37 years old this year and I’m a teacher taking care of the students’ life in the No.8 primary school of Yuli County. I was born in an ordinary peasant family. My parents taught me to study hard and be a knowledgeable, educated and useful person. I always remember my parents' instructions. With the careful training of teachers and my own efforts, I have now realized my dream and become an honorable teacher.

In my memory, my primary school was a row of bungalows. The wall plastered with cement was the teacher's blackboard. Two students sat on one bench. The wooden desk didn’t have drawers, and we didn’t have places to store our bags. After class, we would dance over a chain of rubber bands, kick shuttlecock and play games with our friends on the muddy playground. We went home with dirt all over our bodies. In winter, there was no heating system in the classroom. Making fire in a stove to keep warm would get the ashes everywhere in the classroom.

After I graduated from university, I went back to my hometown and I was surprised to see the great changes in my school. There were beautiful teaching buildings as well as spacious and bright classrooms. Each classroom was equipped with multimedia teaching equipment - Banbantong, as well as other facilities such as computers and projectors. In summer, fans were available for students. In winter, small coal stoves were replaced by clean and warm heaters. The children were running on the plastic track, playing football and games on the football field.

I am mainly in charge of the services for boarding students. In order to make boarding students learn and grow better, the school not only provides free accommodation and meals for students, but also offers evening tuition for students. Teachers are assigned in the class to help children with their work and answer their questions. In our school, students of Han, Uygur, Hui and other multi-ethnic learn together, play together, grow together, help each other and make progress together. I chat with them from time to time. Sabire Rouzi, a fifth grade resident, once said to me, "Madam, it's great to live on campus. My home is far away from school. In the past, I need my parents to pick me up and send me to school every day. It tend to take a lot of time. Now I can sleep a little longer and I don't have to get up early to go to school; the food offered by the school is also very delicious, and I like pilaf cooked in school canteen most; In the past, when we had problems doing homework at home, my parents didn't know how to help me, and no one could help me with it. Now, when we do homework in the evening, the teacher can offer their help. I'm no longer afraid of running into problems in my study. My performance is getting better and better. I like to live in school and study with my teachers and my classmates. "

In terms of life, we have formulated recipes and hired professional chefs to cook delicious meals for students to ensure a balanced diet with enough nutrition. There are also trained doctors in the school. If a child suddenly falls ill, he will get effective treatment in time. The school's mental health teachers will also pay attention to the students' emotions in time to help the children grow up happily. Boarding schools not only save parents and children's time, but also help to improve academic performance and form good study and living habits, which are highly praised by students and parents.

Today I have brought a video clip which can show you my work and my life.

Mirigul Mamatimin: Recently, I saw some overseas media on the Internet claiming that the Xinjiang government sent children to boarding schools and "forced" them to be separated from their parents. They were ridiculous. As a teacher in charge of boarding work, I am very responsible to tell you that they are all nonsense. In order to make it convenient for students of all ethnic groups to go to school, the students who are near home can choose to stay, and the students who are far away from home can choose their own accommodation according to their own wishes. Parents can go to school whenever they want to see their children. The students will spend every weekend and every winter and summer holiday with their parents at home. There is no "forced boarding" at all. The media and politicians who slander boarding schools abroad are totally ungrateful and make up nonsense!

Elijan Anayat: Thanks for the information from Mirigul Mamatimin. The anti-China forces in the United States and the West fabricated that "the country is trying to prevent Uygur parents, relatives or community members from raising their children" to slander the achievements of Xinjiang's education. The truth is that Xinjiang has made great efforts to develop preschool education, especially the construction of public kindergartens in rural areas. Rural kindergartens in the whole region are subsidized by 2800 yuan per person per school year, which has effectively guaranteed that children of all ethnic groups "could be bred when they’re young and could be taught when they’re learning". Tusungul Turdi is a kindergarten teacher in a township. Her care for the children solves the parents' worries. Now, let's invite Tusungul Turdi, a teacher in the Little Pomegranate Kindergarten in Aketao County of Kizilsu Kirgiz Autonomous Prefecture, to tell her story.

Photo taken on July 11, 2021 shows Tusungul Turdi speaks at the 48^th Press Conference on Xinjiang-related Issues in Urumqi, capital of northwest China’s Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. Photo by Xinjiang Daily/ Zhou Peng

Tusungul Turdi: Hello, everyone. My name is Tusungul Turdi and I’m 38 years old now. I’m now working in a kindergarten of Aketao County.

I grew up with the children of all nationalities, playing with them and learning languages together. When I was at the age for school, my parents sent me to the kindergarten and it was from kindergarten that I began to enjoy a good education. From then on, I dream of becoming a teacher. I was lucky and I realized my dream! In July of 2003, I graduated from Xinjiang Kindergarten Normal School; In September of 2004, I passed the open recruitment examination and successfully became a teacher in Kugan Primary School of Baren Township in Aketao County.

When I first arrived at school, I found that some parents didn't pay much attention to their children's education. Seeing this situation, I couldn't help but worry. I went for home visits every day to talk to the parents about the benefits of going to school, so that they know that their children didn't need them to pay for schooling. Even schoolbags and notebooks are given by the school. Slowly, parents changed their mindset. They send their children to school early everyday and remind them to study hard from time to time. I'm glad to see these changes.

In March of 2005, I was transferred to the Little Pomegranate Kindergarten in the county as a teacher. In recent years, the development of kindergartens is getting better and better. There are kindergartens in every village. Children don't have to pay any money when they enter the kindergarten. The kindergarten is equipped with new buildings, as well as playground and outdoor facilities for games. Our kindergarten now has more than 850 children. The canteen is equipped with fresh-keeping cabinet, freezer, disinfection cabinet, and special vegetable room and dessert room. The children have three meals a day made by the chef. There are many kinds of dishes, fruits and snacks after the meal. In the kindergartens in Southern Xinjiang, children don't have to pay any fee to go to school. Parents just need to send their children on time. No need to worry about anything.

Our kindergarten also teaches children painting, singing and so on. What I am good at most is singing. Now I will sing a song for you, OK?

Photo taken on July 11, 2021 shows Tusungul Turdi sings at the 48^th Press Conference on Xinjiang-related Issues in Urumqi, capital of northwest China’s Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. Photo by Xinjiang Daily/ Zhou Peng

Tusungul Turdi: My daughter is also benefited from free education. When she went to kindergarten in September, 2010, we didn't spend a cent. Every morning we sent her to the kindergarten, and then in the afternoon we went to the kindergarten on time to pick up her home. She eat her three meals of a day and two additional meals for free in the kindergarten. At noon she takes lunch break in the kindergarten. The daily necessities are freely distributed by the school. When she went to primary school, we also did not spend a cent on tuition fees and book fees. There’s also free nutrition lunch. My wife and I not only saved a lot of money, but also saved a lot of trouble.

In June of 2020, my daughter was admitted to Shihezi for junior high school study. She was free of book fees, board fees, accommodation fees, etc., and the round-trip travel expenses are borne by the government. The superior educational conditions enable our children to study well, make rapid progress, and be excellent in all aspects.

At present, education in Xinjiang is developing very rapidly, especially in Southern Xinjiang. All children have enjoyed 15 years of free education. From kindergarten to high school, they don't need to spend a cent. Besides, there are various subsidies such as accommodation, food, books, and so on. The quality of education is also improving.

I'm a teacher. I see parents send their children happily every day; I am also a parent. I want my children to grow up happily in such an educational environment. What fabricated by some foreign media and unscrupulous politicians that "forced boarding, separation between the children and their families" is nonsense! Do they have free education like ours? Our children are all growing up happily. Have they ever seen them? They have no moral and conscience to make rumors without any reason! I just want to tell those who smear our Xinjiang, do not try to destroy our good life. Your attack and slander are both futile, which will only make yourselves a laughing stock!

Elijan Anayat: Thanks for the information from Tusungul Turdi. There are also many kindergarten teachers like her, including Aytuerson Ablat of Xinhe County in Aksu Region. She takes good care of the children in the kindergarten so that they can benefit from the Educational Citizen-Beneficial Policy and feel more love at the same time. Next, let's learn about her work and life through a video.

  Elijan Anayat: Xinjiang has continued to improve the financial aiding system for students with financial difficulties, providing full coverage for all school classes from preschool to postgraduate education, public and private schools, and students from poor families, institutionally ensuring that "no student will be dropped out of school due to financial difficulties". Adil Amar finished his studies with the help of the national and autonomous region policy on student aid, and now serves the development of his hometown with what he has learned. Next, please welcome Adil Amar, a staff member of the Awati County Bureau of Statistics in Aksu, to tell his story.

Photo taken on July 11, 2021 shows Adil Amar speaks at the 48^th Press Conference on Xinjiang-related Issues in Urumqi, capital of northwest China’s Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. Photo by Xinjiang Daily/ Zhou Peng

Adil Amar: Hello everyone, my name is Adil Amar, I am from Awati County in Aksu Prefecture, and I am 25 years old. I am very glad to have this opportunity to share my story with you. When I was a child, my family's economic conditions were not good. It was the national education policies designed to benefit the people that helped me finish my studies and live a happy life now. Until now, I often think of those who helped me, I am still very grateful to them!

In 2015, I was admitted to Tianjin University of Science and Technology. When my classmates and I were celebrating being admitted to the ideal university, I saw a trace of sadness from my mother's joyful face. At that time, my family's income was not high, where did the university tuition come from? When my family was worried, the village cadre came to my house and told me that students from poor families could apply for grants.

Later, with the help of the staff of the County Bureau of Education and Science, I obtained a grant from Zhejiang “Rongsheng Education Fund” and was admitted to university as I wished. In August, 2016, I applied for 6,000 yuan from Zhejiang Shaoxing Aid Xinjiang Grant successfully, which solved the tuition problem of my sophomore year. When the grant was sent to my mother, she cried excitedly. In 2017, I got the Tianjin XingnongZhujiao Grant. In school, I have been granted a national grant every school year, which is just like a warm current to warm me.

In Tianjin, I saw the gap in the development of my hometown, then I determined to go back to build my hometown after graduation. For this reason, I had been full of energy throughout the four years in university. I was not afraid of hardship and tiredness in learning. I had completed my university studies successfully!

The gain in college are not just academic. I still keep in touch with my instructor Wang Zhenhua and my five roommates now, because with their company, my college life is very warm and happy. Among the 18 students, Miss Wang liked me the most and often bought me fruits and delicious food to come and saw me in the dormitory. At that time, I received a phone call from my sister, saying that my mother had gall stones and was preparing for surgery. I was very worried about my mother's condition and absent-minded in class. My worry was found by Miss Wang Zhenhua. She took the initiative to chat with me and asked me about my life and study. When she heard the news that I was still lack of 2000 yuan, she helped me without hesitation and said :" This is for you, everything gonna be fine. I believe your mother's operation will go well, you should set your mind to study, there is anything to tell me in time.” Miss Wang's care released a lot of my pressure, and then my mother's operation went well. Here I want to say "thank you, teacher" to my dear teacher.

Now, I am working in the Bureau of Statistics of Awati County, responsible for data collection, statistics, audit and acceptance in the fields of construction, real estate and investment. With what I have learned, I can give back to the society and build my hometown.

Recently, I read on the Internet that some foreign anti-China forces, in order to attack and smear Xinjiang and slander our educational policy and human rights situation. It’s really hateful! As you know, my journey has been ordinary and extraordinary, filled with positive energy and gratitude. I am grateful to the national educational policies designed to benefit the people, and I am proud to live in China. Those evil people who attack and slander Xinjiang will never succeed in your conspiracy! We will work hard to make our life better and better!

Elijan Anayat: Thanks Adil Amar for telling us. Xinjiang has formulated a series of subsidy measures in accordance with different learning stage. At the stage of preschool education and primary and secondary education, various kinds of subsidies have been adopted to reduce the economic burden of students' families; at the stage of higher education, a multi-part subsidy system of "award, aid, loan, work-study, subsidy and exemption" has been established. Tunsahan Osman completed her primary and secondary school education free of charge and eased her family's financial burden through grants at university. Next, I invite Tunsahan Osman, from Yutian County in Hotan Prefecture, to tell her story.

Photo taken on July 11, 2021 shows Tunsahan Osman speaks at the 48^th Press Conference on Xinjiang-related Issues in Urumqi, capital of northwest China’s Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. Photo by Xinjiang Daily/ Zhou Peng

Tunsahan Osman: Hello, everyone. I'm Tunsahan Osman from Yutian County in Hotan Prefecture. I'm 26 years old. There are four people in my family. My father and mother farmed at home, and my brother is at school. I am running a communication service agency in the town.

I was born in a mountain village, 60 kilometers away from the county. At that time, my family had poor economic conditions and no stable income. However, my parents never worried about my brother and I going to school, because we both enjoyed 15 years of free education policy and did not have to pay for schooling.

I went to primary school in the village. At that time, the roads were muddy paths, which became muddy when it rained. I remember one day it rained heavily and I couldn't go to school because the roads were slippery. When I was so anxious to cry at home, the teacher came to my home, it turned out that she had come home to see me because I didn't go to school. So she took me by the hand and led me to school, which moved me very much. But now this is no longer the case, the roads are built to the door, it is very convenient for students to go to school.

After entering junior high school, I chose to live in school because my home was far away from my school. Our board, lodging and tuition were free, so we didn't have to worry about anything. I cherish this good condition very much, study hard, and was admitted to the county high school. High school conditions are particularly good, classrooms are clean and tidy, accommodation conditions are also very good. There are Banmian, Zhuafan and other dishes that I like in the canteen. The class teacher knew that my family conditions were not very good, then helped me to apply for a grant of 1,500 yuan per year. The class teacher liked me very much. What impressed me most was that a few days before the college entrance examination, I accidentally hurt my leg and had to go to the city of Hotan, 200 kilometers away to take part in the exam. When I was at a loss, the teacher said to me, don't worry, I will take you to take part in the exam, you just need to get ready for the exam. So she took me to Hotan and bought me a lot of delicious food on the way. She encouraged me to relax all the time. With the teacher's care and help, I participated in the college entrance examination successfully. When I brought the college admission letter to my parents, they cried with joy.

After entering the college, I kept in mind the expectations of my parents and teachers and studied hard. The school also gave me a grant of 3,000 yuan. I also use my spare time, in the school through the work-study program, to earn a living, to help parents reduce the burden. In addition, with the help of the teacher, I also make full use of the weekend time, obtained a self-study undergraduate degree. I often participate in all kinds of school sports activities, I like to play basketball, although I am small, I can play basketball very well.

In June 2017, after I graduated from college, I started to work in China Unicom Company in the county. Since I had the dream of starting my own business, I opened a communication service agency in my town later, mainly selling mobile phones and mobile phone accessories, as well as dealing with all kinds of business. Because of my good service attitude, fast business processing, a lot of customers to my store, business is getting better and better, family income is also significantly increased.

This year, my brother also graduated from high school and took the college entrance examination. His score was even better than mine. I believe he will be admitted to a good university and become an excellent person in the future. My brother and I have also calculated the amount we should be spent, the tuition fees, textbooks, accommodation and so on for both of us from primary school to high school have exceeded 70,000 yuan, all of which are free of charge. Without such a good educational policies designed to benefit the people, a family like ours would never be able to afford such a large sum of money.

Recently, I read on the Internet some foreign media rumors that we were forced to go to boarding schools and separated from our parents. I was very angry when I read these rumors. It is precisely because of such a good educational policies designed to benefit the people that we have the chance to go to school and the chance to change our destiny. This is not coercion. Please shut up the rumourmongers and stop talking nonsense!

Elijan Anayat: Thanks Tunsahan Osman for telling us. All boarding schools in Xinjiang are built in strict accordance with relevant national and regional standards, with libraries, stadiums, dormitories and canteens in complete facilities. Hanaysham Yimir sends her child to a boarding school, where he can study and live. She is very grateful to the school and teachers for taking care of her child. Next, please Hanaysham Yimir, a resident of Kuqa City in Aksu Prefecture, to tell her story.

Photo taken on July 11, 2021 shows Hanaysham Yimir speaks at the 48^th Press Conference on Xinjiang-related Issues in Urumqi, capital of northwest China’s Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. Photo by Xinjiang Daily/ Zhou Peng

Hanaysham Yimir: Hello, I'm Hanaysham Yimir. My husband and I are both rural primary school teachers in Kuqa City. We are very busy with our work. Our parents are in poor health and we need to take care of them, so we spend all our time on work and taking care of the elderly. We don't spend much time with our son, and sometimes we don't even have time to cook, let alone help with our child's homework. When my son was in high school, he had a heavy task and was under great pressure. Seeing his grades declining, my husband and I decided to let him go to a boarding school after discussing with our son.

Facts have proved that we made the right choice. On the first day when I sent my son to a boarding school, I found the school's conditions were pretty good. There is a modern library for children to study by themselves, a plastic track and various sports equipment, and every classroom was equipped with digital equipment, complete function room and multimedia. The student dormitory is clean and tidy, the canteen food is various and delicious. Such good study and living conditions, every day there are teachers to take care of him, I really feel at ease.

After boarding in the school, my son has more time to study, but also convenient to ask the teacher questions, his performance has been significantly improved after living in the school, in recent few tests, he took an examination of the first grade. Every weekend when he came home, my son would happily tell me about the bits and pieces of his school, such as winning the first prize in the tug-of-war competition in his class, and celebrating the birthday with the teachers and classmates, etc. Seeing my son happy, I was happy for him from the bottom of my heart.

Every weekend we pick up our son, if we miss him,we can go to school to see him, if there are some matters of home, he can also ask for leave at any time to go home. Sometimes, the school will organize parents to come and see the children's dormitories, dining halls, classrooms, and so on, watching the clothes washed by children their own, neatly placed books and articles of daily use, clean and bright dining table, as well as those books full of notes, annotated papers...... I was moved by the child's efforts and the school's carefulness. "It's wonderful that your son won the first place." Listening to the praise of other parents, my heart is as sweet as honey.

The most gratifying thing for me is not only the change in my child's grades, but also the responsibility he have learned in school. I remember one weekend, my husband work overtime at night and didn’t go home, I had a sudden attack of cholecystitis, I was worried when I think of send my son to school next day and take care of sick parents. At that time, I was particularly uncomfortable with stomach pain. My son got the medicine quickly, quickly boiled water and filled water bag with hot water to let me apply my stomach, and wiped my sweat and washed my feet. The next day, when his father came home, he packed up his things and returned to school. Before leaving home, he told me that I should have a good recuperation and he would go home for a check-up at the weekend. Look at the child sensible appearance, I am very pleased and moved. I know that through attending boarding school, my son is gradually becoming a responsible "man."

There were many more such little things. My son learned to do the laundry and wash shoes at school; he learned to deal with all kinds of friction and small contradictions in life; also earn to distinguish right from wrong, have the right values... These are the things that I want most as a mother.

As a mother, I feel comfortable trusting my child to the school and teachers. However, some Western media have slandered the boarding schools in Xinjiang, saying that Uygur parents are forced to separate from their children, which is absolutely ridiculous! The school provides children with free accommodation and teaching. There is a school information channel in the dormitory and teaching building for children to contact their parents at any time. Please open your eyes and seriously look at what our school is like! What is the learning environment of our children! Stop trying to deceive people with your clumsy lies!

Elijan Anayat: Thanks for the introduction from Hanaysham Yimir. Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region have actively offered high school class, and secondary vocational class in order to help the children from Xinjiang’s remote areas enjoy educational resources of high quality throughout the country, which can give the children here a chance to accept high-quality education in different provinces and cities. It can also guarantee their education from various aspects. Nurbiya Anwar once studied in Xinjiang high school class of Guangzhou Guangya Middle School. Next, I’ll invite Nurbiya Anwar, the principle of Central Kindergarten of Aqike Township of Yopurga County in Kashgar Prefecture to tell her story.

Photo taken on July 11, 2021 shows Nurbiya Anwar speaks at the 48^th Press Conference on Xinjiang-related Issues in Urumqi, capital of northwest China’s Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. Photo by Xinjiang Daily/ Zhou Peng

Nurbiya Anwar: Hello, everyone. I’m Nurbiya Anwar from Yopurga County in Kashgar Prefecture. I was admitted to Guangzhou Guangya Middle school in September 2002, and I became a student of the Third Provincial(City) Xinjiang High School Class. I was graduated from South China University of Technology. Now, I’m the principle of Central Kindergarten of Aqike Township of Yopurga County. Today, I’d like to share my own experience of growing up.

When I studied in high school of Guangzhou, I didn’t have to pay tuition. I got free meals and free accommodation. In order to help Xinjiang’s students to adapt well in language, life and diet, our school offered Uygur life teacher. Our meals are nutritious and delicious. Our dormitories are comfortable and bright.

We Xinjiang’s students took classes with Guangzhou’s students together. Our school offered excellent teachers for us carefully. They had a strong sense of responsibility. All of them are full of love and patience. They looked after us as if they were our parents. I can still feel family-like warmth and care in retrospect. I not only learned a lot of cultural and technological knowledge, but also gained many genuine friendships.

I remember that when I was a high school student, my desk mate is Zhong Huiping. We had a self-study class every night. Every time I met some questions I could not solve, she helped me solve them. She also helped me review and consolidate the knowledge, which helped me a lot to improve my study and get good grades.

With the company, the encouragement and the help of my teachers and classmates of Guangya Middle school, I was admitted to South China University of Technology with excellent grades. After entering the university, I met new people in that new environment, but I was very familiar with Guangzhou and regarded it as my second hometown. I quickly adapted to the new study and living environment. South China University of Technology is located in the university town of Guangzhou and surrounded by universities. Its environment is beautiful. The air is fresh and the learning atmosphere is marvellous. My roommates were also very warmhearted. We got on well with each other like sisters.

Later, my younger brother was also admitted to college. My family's burden became heavier because both my younger brother and I were in college at the same time. Therefore, I applied for the Xinjiang Student Grant and got the scholarship through my hard work. The teacher also helped me become a dormitory administrator in the school, so that I had a stable income and no longer needed to ask for money from my family. With the help of various preferential policies and teachers, both my younger brother and I have successfully graduated from college. Now, my brother is a cadre of Cultural and Sports Bureau in Yopurga County.

Before I went to school in Guangzhou, my Mandarin was not as good as it is now. But with the help of my teachers and classmates, my Mandarin was getting better and better. Next, I would like to recite a poem "Sunshine of Love" for you, which tells you about my campus life.

As a teacher of ethnic group, along the way, I have enjoyed a lot of national educational policies designed to benefit the people. These policies enable me to go out of the small county town and go to high school and university in big city. They have broadened my horizon, helped me make many friends and received good education. Now my dream of being an educator has come true. I will always remain grateful and strive to cultivate the children of my motherland. I'll help my students grow till they become useful members of society.

I'm very angry that some anti-China forces in the US and some western countries have slandered Xinjiang recently. I want to tell them that those who smear Xinjiang should be self-aware by using my real experiences. Please spend your time on improving the education of people in your own country instead of smearing Xinjiang. I want to say: Read more , make less gossip, and be a man of conscience!

Elijan Anayat: Thanks for the introduction from Nurbiya Anwar. Just now, the six speakers have told you their real experiences. They are all benefited from the Xinjiang educational project designed to benefit the people. Now I'd like you to communicate with them.

Elijan Anayat: I'd like to take questions from the reporter in the middle of the first row.

Question from Xinhua News Agency: Thank you very much, I'm a reporter from Xinhua News Agency. Some foreign media say that "children of ethnic groups are forced to go to boarding schools in Xinjiang, resulting in the separation of children from their parents." Could you give us more details on the actual situation of the boarding schools? Thank you.

Elijan Anayat: Thanks for the question from Xinhua News Agency. This question will be answered by Mirigul Mamat, a teacher of No.8 Primary School in Yuli County of Bayingolin Mongolian Autonomous Prefecture.

Mirigul Mamat: My school is a boarding school. Choosing boarding is entirely a choice out of the will of parents and students, because Xinjiang is too big and some students live far away from the school. Choosing boarding greatly saves the time of parents and children. Parents and children are free to meet and make phone calls with each other. Students go home from school on Friday afternoon and return to school on Sunday afternoon. They also spend winter and summer holidays at home.

Our boarding schools have strict construction standards to ensure that students have a safe and comfortable learning and living environment. We also have life teachers to take care of the children. Our boarding school is no different from any other boarding school in the world. If we have to find the difference, that is our boarding school is free of charge for tuition, accommodation, meals and textbooks, which reduces the financial burden for parents.

Elijan Anayat: Thank you, Mirigul Mamat, for your answer. I would like to invite you to continue to ask questions. Now let’s welcome the journalist from in the second row to raise a question.

China Daily Reporter: Thank you very much, I'm a reporter from China Daily. We all know that the choice of boarding school is two-way voluntary. More and more parents choose to send their children to boarding schools. Could you tell us the reason for this choice? Thank you.

Elijan Anayat: Thank you for your question from China Daily. This question will be answered by Hanaysham Yimir, a resident of Kuche City in Aksu Prefecture.

Hanaysham Yimir: We volunteered to board our child at school. As I said just now, my husband and I are busy with our work, and our child is not taken care of at home. Moreover, after the child went to high school, the courses are quite difficult, and I can't help him with some of his homework. At that time, I heard a lot of people say that boarding schools have teachers to take care of his study and life, and I don't have to pay tuition and textbook fees, which can solve my family's difficulties and let me feel at ease to send my child there.

After my son went to boarding school, he ate well, lived well, studied well, got along with his classmates well, he did not need me to worry about his homework. He got better grades and grew stronger. When we miss our son, we can come and see him at school. Our son can also call us. He spend weekends and holidays at home. Now, my husband and I have settled down to work and our children are growing up happily, which makes me feel that sending our children to boarding school is the right thing to do. I am really grateful to the school.

Elijan Anayat: Thank you, Hanaysham Yimir for your answer. In recent years, great changes have taken place in education in Xinjiang. The balanced development of education has been continuously promoted, and the hardware and software facilities of boarding schools have been continuously improved. The boarding system has become a form of school running with parents' satisfaction, social recognition and students' happiness. Barejiang Xirefu, a physical education teacher from Atushi City in Kizilsu Kirgiz Autonomous Prefecture, and Wulina from the South Middle School of Gongliu County in Ili, sent us videos to show the happy learning life of students of all ethnic groups in the boarding school. Let's take a look.

Elijan Anayat: Today's press conference is over. Thank you all, dear spokesmen and journalists.