The money, half of which is already in place, will be spent replacing cottages with wood-brick or concrete structures, officials with the education authority of the Tibet Autonomous Region said.

The new school buildings would not only be more solid, but also have better lighting and heating, the officials said.

The Chinese government has made great efforts in recent years to develop education in Tibet, particularly to improve school facilities there.

Thanks to the efforts, school buildings are the best buildings in many county towns, local sources said.

(Xinhua News Agency May 17, 2002)