China. Eastern Turkestan. 1995. Ku Guch Lugh School
Free of charge under the Socialist regime of the People's Republic of China, school education has been payable since 1990 as the country began its economic liberalization process. At school, this young Tajik girl had to learn in the native language of the prevailing ethnic group, i.e. Uigur. Although the Tajiks can still speak their dialect freely, the only authorized written languages are Chinese and Uigur, the "official" languages in Eastern Turkestan. Like boys, girls can get an education. However, schooling remains a privilege as it now has to be paid for.