Naxi Students' National Identity Construction and Schooling: A Case Study of Lijiang No.1 Senior Secondary School

摘要

Through education, the state authorities inculcate a national devotion and homogenous culture in Naxi students as well as a Chinese national identity. Students are encouraged to commit themselves to China's social, economic and political development, and to have a sense of responsibility towards the nation. The national curriculum introduces elements of nation-building into various subjects, especially Chinese language, political and ideology and history. It is hoped that the students will make contributions to Chinese society. The school routine, extracurricular activities, physical environment and teaching, are all infused with the state ideology. With all these activities, the school hopes to create a consciousness of the Chinese nation and to instil national pride among students.rnTo a certain degree, the government's efforts have paid off. According to the interview data, most of the Naxi students internalise the state ideology, such as ethnic unity among the 56 ethnic groups and patriotism. Though it is difficult to evaluate a Chinese national identity, the interview data show that the Naxi students in LSS are becoming more aware of their national identity, and connect their life and study goals with the interests of the country. ThernNaxi students accept the Han culture and the ethnic unity that are promoted by the school and are willing to work hard to enter the mainstream culture. However, the Naxi students are not passive receivers of the knowledge imparted in the school. They also assert their own national identity. In the interviews, students expressed scepticism about certain aspects of what they were taught. Several stated that what was taught did not actually reflect what truly happened in reality. Some doubted the effectiveness of the school's attempts to inculcate in them a sense of national identity, and some were curious about issues of national identity. They read books about China and Chinese people in literature and discussed the nation with the people around them.