Economic development apart, Tibet has built a completely modern education system. The average number of years of schooling there has risen to 9.55. Since 2012, Tibetan children are enjoying 15 years of free education. Apart from preferential compulsory education policies, children of farmers and herdsmen in Tibet also get free meals and dormitories in schools, and are exempted from paying tuition fee. Even children from poor families in urban areas get government grants and subsidies.