June 1st marks International Children's Day. Across China, efforts are underway to ensure that every child has access to education. In Nagqu, southwest China's Xizang Autonomous Region, the average altitude exceeds 4,500 meters. Vast distances, rugged terrain, and a traditionally nomadic lifestyle once made regular schooling a major challenge. Today, a network of boarding schools is bringing classrooms closer to children living on some of the world's highest grasslands. CGTN follows a young Tibetan student as he leaves the summer pastures and returns to school.

This is the northern Xizang Plateau.

At over 4,500 meters above sea level, the sky is so blue the clouds seem within reach.

A young boy whistles as he swings a rope, guiding the flock forward.

For 13-year-old Tenzin Lobsang, this has always been the rhythm of summer, simple, familiar, and rooted in the highland life he's grown up with.

TENZIN LOBSANG Boarding School Student "I help my grandparents herd the sheep, shear wool, and milk the sheep. I like it here because it feels free. If I want to play, I play. If I don't, I just walk home."

It's the last day of summer vacation.

Lobsang has to prepare for school, reviewing his lessons.

He will be entering his final year of primary school.

His school is located at the center of the county, about a two-hour drive from home.

He lives on campus during semesters.

DAWA DROLMA Tenzin Lobsang's Mother "We feel very at ease. When he is at school, we never have to stress about anything going wrong. At parent-teacher meetings, we find out he gets one or two awards every single day, and the teachers are always praising him. As parents, that just makes us really happy."

TENZIN LOBSANG Boarding School Student "By boarding at school, I want to be more independent and not rely on my parents for everything. If I kept thinking about them and calling them all the time, they would worry about how I'm settling into the dorm. I don't want them to worry."

After lunch, Lobsang's grandfather prepared to take him back to school by motorcycle.

Built in 2012 with investment from Sinopec, Baingoin Sinopec Primary School is widely known as "the aid-funded primary school that's closest to the sky."

More than half the students here board by family choice.

For children like Lobsang who are from remote herding areas, boarding not only makes education possible, but also eases their parents' worries.

Open days let parents see how their children study, live, and eat.

With free meals for all students, food safety and balanced nutrition are top priorities.

NGAWANG WANGDU Principal, Baingoin Sinopec Primary School "In addition to three meals a day, we also provide nutritional subsidies for students. So between classes, we also give them milk, bread and fruit and so on. All carefully chosen for the students to enjoy."

Alongside Mandarin, mathematics, and English, Tibetan language studies are also a compulsory part of the curriculum.

Reporter "Do you have any goals for yourself?"

TENZIN LOBSANG Boarding School Student "I want to get into a better middle school. And when I grow up, I really hope to attend the National University of Defense Technology."

Reporter "Really? Why?"

TENZIN LOBSANG Boarding School Student "Because when I scroll through videos online, I often see content about the university. It seems like they produce a lot of outstanding talents there. I really want to get into that university, and serve in the military."

Reporter "You want to join the military? Why?"

TENZIN LOBSANG Boarding School Student "Because I want to protect my country."

For families living across vast grasslands and high mountain valleys, boarding schools have opened opportunities that once felt far beyond reach.

And for children like Lobsang, the path ahead is no longer limited by geography or distance, but shaped by the dreams and ambitions they choose to pursue.

Huang Yue, CGTN, Baingoin County, Xizang Autonomous Region.