China has just launched a long-distance training project for middle and primary school teachers in the country's Tibet Autonomous Region.

An official from the Ministry of Education said that the project is expected to provide long-distance training to Tibetan teachers via computers. The first phase of project will benefit 50 teachers, who will pursue their studies in computer classrooms within Tibet University.

The project, entitled "long-distance modern education training program for middle and primary schools," is sponsored by the Ministry of Education and the Hong Kong Li Ka-shing Foundation.

Tibet University President Liu Qinghui said that Tibet University has made thorough preparations to ensure the smooth operation of the project.

"We can acquire knowledge through the computer wide-band network," said a teacher from the Lhasa No.2 primary school. "We can acquire modern teaching methods and school management through the project, and this will help to increase our reserves of knowledge and improve our standard of teaching."

(Xinhua News Agency April 16, 2002)