Vocational Education Booms in Xinjiang

By Li Fangfang

In the southern part of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region， a key battlefield in the fight against terrorism and extremism in China， extremist ideas once strongly influenced peoples minds， particularly prior to 2016.

Deceived and manipulated by extremists， local residents were not able to live a normal life. “Those plagued by extremist ideas wouldnt hold banquets for weddings. They wouldnt sing or dance； at funerals， some wouldnt even cry，” Mahmut Saidil， a former village head in Aksu Prefecture in south Xinjiang， told Beijing Review.

Many people there fell prey to extremist thoughts because of poverty. According to the Plan of Action to Prevent Violent Extremism published by the United Nations， the absence of alternative employment opportunities can make violent extremist organizations an attractive source of income.

Vocational education has played a key role in extricating locals from the haunts of extremism and terrorism by supplying the labor market with skilled workers and hence driving economic and social development.

After Xinjiangs rural areas shook off poverty in 2020， the next goal is to boost sustainable development. The region， alongside other parts of China， continues to consolidate poverty alleviation outcomes， promote all-round progress， and strengthen assistance to lowincome rural residents on a regular basis. Vocational education has a big role to play in these endeavors.

Driver of social progress

The Aksu Vocation and Technical College （AVTC） in Aksu Prefecture is a school that has trained skilled workers for local job market. Over 90 percent of graduates are from the Uygur ethnic group.

“The majority of students here like to work close to their homes，” Pu Sixiong， AVTC head， told Beijing Review. “But some students have settled down after moving to other provinces for work.”

The AVTC has now established partnerships with more than 160 companies and organizations to offer internships to its students. At the same time， professional technicians from these companies also participate in teaching at the college. There are also classes that are tailored to meet the specific needs of the companies that will employ the students after graduation.

The Kuqa Secondary Vocational Institute is another major vocational school in the city of Kuqa， an old town on the ancient Silk Road route. Mamat Alshir， 21， now teaches numerical control as part of a partnership between his company and the Kuqa Secondary Vocational Institute， of which he is a graduate. A graduation rate of more than 90 percent makes it attractive for students. And many of them aspire to set up their own businesses when they are ready.