Kalon Tripa Visit Schools
During the second leg of his visit to the Tibetan settlements in south
India, Kalon Tripa Prof. Samdhong Rinpoche, Chairman of Kashag (Tibetan
Cabinet), Central Tibetan Administration (CTA) visited the Central Schools
for Tibetans (CST) at Mainpat, Chandragiri and Mundgod on July 16, 21
and August 5 respectively. He was welcomed by the school principal, staff,
students and parents. Kalon Tripa toured the school campuses and addressed
the students and staff. Go
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CTSA Incentive Award for Teachers
Three teachers have been selected to receive the CTSA Incentive Awards, 2002 for their dedication and meritorious services. Mr. G. Eshwaraih, PGT, CST Bylakuppe; Mr. Tsering Topgyal, TGT, CST Mundgod and Mr. Norlha Tsering, PRT, CST CVP Bylakuppe will be presented the awards during the CTSA Foundation Day, to be held on 8 November 2003 at CST Mussoorie. Go
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Peer Review Committee Visit Schools
The Governing Body of the Central Tibetan Schools Administration (CTSA)
constituted a Peer Review Committee to review programmes, budgetary support
and organisational matters of CTSA. In the first phase of their visit, the
panel members comprising Mr. Baldev Mahajan, Ex-Commissioner of Kendriya
Vidyalaya Sangathan; Mr. Parveer Pandey, Deputy Secretary, Ministry of Home,
Govt. of India; Kasur Tashi Wangdi, Representative, Bureau of His Holiness
the Dalai Lama, New Delhi; Mr. S.P. Datta, Former Secretary, CTSA and Dr.
M.S. Verma, Secretary CTSA visited CST schools at Bylakuppe and Gurupura
from August 28-30. They also paid a brief visit to the SOS Tibetan Children's
Village School at Bylakuppe. The dignitaries were accorded a warm welcome
by the settlement residents and the staff and students in the schools. They
inspected the school campuses and also interacted with the students, staff
members, parents and with representatives of community organisations.
In the second phase, the panel members visited the schools at Darjeeling,
Sonada and Kalimpong from September 9 -12. In the third phase, the panel
members will visit CTSA schools at Mussoorie and Herbertpur and will also
visit Tibetan Homes School, Mussoorie and CST Paonta Sahib.
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Draft Education Policy Being Prepared
The Kashag (Tibetan Cabinet) constituted a five-member drafting committee
on July 6 to prepare a draft education policy for Tibetans as provided
under Article XVII of the Charter of Tibetan Government in Exile. The
Committee was chaired by Ven. Karma Gelek Yuthok, Education Secretary.
The other members were Ven. Gyatso, Lecturer, Institute of Buddhist Dialectics;
Mr. Ngawang Dorjee, Director, TCV Educational Development & Resource
Centre; Dr. (Mrs.) B. Tsering Yeshi, Ex-teacher, TCV School; Mr. Chung
Tsering, Research Officer, Department of Education (DOE), CTA. The committee
has accordingly submitted a draft policy to the Kashag. After the Kashag
has reviewed the draft, the document will be widely circulated among schools,
institutions, settlements, monasteries and scholars to invite feedback
and suggestions. Two conferences of selected educationists will be held
early next year to further deliberate on the draft education policy after
which final draft will be prepared. Go
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Research & Specialised Studies Scholarship Grants
For the fist time ever, the Department of Education is instituting scholarships
for research and specialised studies with the guidance and grants from
His Holiness the Dalai Lama. Ten scholarships will be awarded annually,
five for Ph.D./ M..Phil and five for general research studies. Announcement
of the scholarship was made in the month of September and the last date
for submission of applications is December 31, 2003. Go
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Training for Spiritual & Cultural Teachers
A nine-month training for spiritual and cultural teachers organised by the Department of Education, CTA at the College of Higher Tibetan Studies, Sarah began on August 1. Mr. Tsewang Yeshi, Executive Director, TCV was the Chief Guest at the inaugural ceremony. A total of twenty four monks and 2 nuns which includes all those who have been working in the schools, are undergoing the training course. The programme covers the study of dialectics, religious texts, grammar, psychology, teaching methodology, calligraphy and various branches of Tibetan Buddhism and Bon. Go
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Tibetan Student Excel in Geography
 Mr. Tsering Dhundup, a student of the Departrment of Geography, Himachal
Pradesh University, Shimla was declared topper in M.A. Geography for the
session 2001-2003. He will be awarded Gold Medal in the next convocation
to be presided over by Governor of Himachal Pradesh. The Department of
Education congratulates him for the success. Go
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Lecture Tour by Dr. Jan Andersson
The Department of Education, CTA organised a lecture tour of Dr. Jan Andersson in Tibetan schools and institutions located in and around Dharamsala from August 19 to Sept. 15. Dr. Jan Andersson, a Swedish born living in Germany is a long time friend of the Tibetans. He is the co-founder and first chairman of the International campaign for Tibet Deutschland which was started in 2002. Professionally he is a professor of analytical chemistry at the University of Muenster, Germany. He gave talks entitled: 'Hand in Hand-Why do Westerners Work for a Free Tibet' to the school children and staff at Tibetan Children's Village (TCV) Schools at Upper and Lower Dharamsala, Suja, Gopalpur, Ladakh & TCV Youth Hostel in Delhi. Separate lectures were also arranged at the College of Higher Tibetan Studies, Sarah and CTA Staff. The lectures were presented with slide shows followed by question-answer from the audience. Go
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English Essay Contest Results
The results of the English essay contest for Class IX, Class X & Teachers'
categories conducted by the Department of Education, CTA in 2002 was declared
in August this year and prizes were sent through the schools. Ms. Tenzin
Bhuti of TCV Bylakuppe was awarded the best student's entry with cash
prize of Rs.3000 and Ms. Tenzin Kunsang of Tibetan Homes School, Mussoorie
was awarded the best teacher's entry with a cash prize of Rs.5000. Both
of them will also spend two weeks in Japan this winter at the invitation
of the award sponsor Mr. Hiro Sukeyasu. Go
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School Inspections
Education Officers of DOE and CTSA conducted the following school academic inspections:
- Mr. Tsering Samdup, Education Officer (Tibetan), DOE paid a visit
to the Tibetan settlement at Mainpat and inspected the school from July
7 -9.
- Mr. Tsering Phuntsok, Education Officer, DOE along with Mr. A.S. Rawat,
Education Officer (Social Studies) and Mr. S.P. Rana, Deputy Education
Officer from CTSA conducted the academic inspection at CST Camp 6 Mundgod,
CST Mundgod and its branch school from July 25-26. They also paid a
short visit to Drepung Loseling School, which is a grant-in-aid recipient
from CTSA.
- Mr. Tsering Samdup, Education Officer visited CST Dalhousie along
with Mr. G.S. Saini, Education Officer (English), CTSA for the inspection
from September 2-4.
- 1. Mr. Tsering Phuntsok, Education Officer alongwith Mrs. Sandhya
Rastogi, Education Officer (Training) conducted the inspections at CST
Gurupura and CST Kollegal from September 8-11.
- Mr. Tsering Phuntsok, Education Officer alongwith Mr. G.S. Saini,
Education Officer (English) and Mr. S.P. Rana, Deputy Education Officer,
CTSA jointly inspected the CTSA schools at Sonada, Darjeeling, Kalimpong
and Ravangla from September 23-29.
During the above inspections, classroom instructions of all the teachers
vis-a-vis the proper utilisation of educational facilities was closely
observed and guidance were given for further improvement. The Education
Officers also addressed the staff and students and interacted with them.
Mr. Tsering Samdup, Education Officer, visited Chandigarh on August 8
& 9, to make an on the spot study of the Tibetan language programme
being arranged by DOE for the Tibetan college students in Chandigarh for
the last several years. Since the students' attendance in the programme
has not been encouraging, further continuance of the programme is under
review. Go
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Training in Guidance & Counselling
Keeping in view the inadequate guidance and counseling to Tibetan children and the present lack of counselors in our community, the Department of Education in collaboration with CTSA had successfully conducted a Para-Professional Training in Guidance & Counseling' for Counselors and Teacher Counselors from July 7-12 at CREST, Care & Counseling Centre, Bangalore.
Twenty-one teacher counselors from CTSA, STSA, TCV, THF and Nepal Schools took part in the training. One of the aims of conducting such training is to develop a minimum programme at the school level to guide and assist the children in solving their academic and career problems. It was an eye opener for the participants. Strict follow up action is being co-ordinated in close collaboration with CTSA to ensure effective implementation of the programme. DOE Counselors Mr. Kalsang Tsewang, Ms. Dolkar Wangmo and Ms. Woesel co-ordinated the training programme. Go
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Workshops at Chauntra School
Science and Geography Workshops were conducted at CST Chauntra from September
3-5 and September 8-10, respectively, under financial assistance from
Peter and Sine Hallum of Denmark. Mr. Erland Anderson, Tutor in Physics
& Chemistry in a teacher's training college in Denmark and Mr. Mortenson,
Geography teacher in a school in Denmark, were the resource persons. Teachers
from CST Chauntra, CST Paonta, STS Dekyiling, STS Bhuntar, TCV Lower Dharamsala,
TCV Gopalpur, TCV Suja, TCV Patlikuhl and one from a local school attended
the workshops. Go
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mDun Lam (Career News)
The Career Resource Cell of DOE has brought out its maiden issue of the biannual newsletter mDun - Lam (Career News) in July this year. The issue carries basic information from career planning, occupational information and information on training centres and other avenues. The last page: 'Ask the Counselor' was provided for students' inquiries and for guidance from the counselors.
Queries from students both studying and unemployed on matters relating to career planning, search of colleges and training centres and many other general information may contact the Editor.
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CENTRAL SCHOOL FOR TIBETANS, DALHOUSIE (HP)
CST Dalhousie is situated in the northern Indian state of Himachal Pradesh approximately 45 km from Pathankot and nearly 5 hours journey by bus or taxi from Dharamsala. Established in May 1963, the school is one of the oldest Tibetan schools under the Central Tibetan Schools Administration, Ministry of Human Resource Development (Govt. of India), Delhi. Since then hundreds of students have graduated from this school and many of its former students holding very responsible positions in the Tibetan community.
The school has K-12 standard and current enrollment of around 400 students with Humanities Stream at the +2 level. There are 44 teaching and non-teaching regular staff. In addition, there is 12 contingency staff in the school. The school enjoys a good reputation in the locality and in the Tibetan community. In terms of infrastructure facilities, the school has a standard football and basketball field, spacious separate dormitories for senior boys and girls and for junior students; dispensary with sick room, kitchen, well furnished classrooms and administrative buildings and a school canteen. In academic area, the school has well equipped modern teaching and learning aids like computer lab, language lab., junior and senior science labs., Dance/Music Dept., resource centre, career and guidance cell, mathematics lab., library etc. In the Central Board of Secondary Examinations (CBSE) 2003, of the 63 students of Class X and 24 students of Class XII who appeared in the examinations the pass percentage was 44.44% and 91.66%, respectively. The school is making all efforts to improve the academic results in the forthcoming examinations.
The discipline and cleanliness of the whole school has been further improved in the recent time. This year, seven members of the school staff received 25 Years Service Award conferred by DOE, Dharamsala in recognition of their service in the education of Tibetan children. The current Principal Mr. C. Raveendran joined the school very recently. Mr. Tsering Dhondup has been holding the responsibility of school Rector since the last two years. Go
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Scholarship News
- Four students who have been selected to undergo one-year study at
University of Graz, Austria have now joined their programmes. Mr. Sonam
Tsering and Mr. Tenzin Norphel have opted to study American Studies
and Ms. Tenzin Dolma and Mr. Dorjee Tsering for Computer Technology.
- Scholarships for 8 Master degree courses, 6 Bachelor of Education
courses and 1 Doctoral program were awarded as part of the annual DOE
scholarships for the year 2003-04.
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Publication News
New Publications released:
- Gangjong, 13th Issue
- rGyapon Phampa
- sTagseng Gonpa
- Nyug-sar, vol iv & v (collection of Tibetan essays by students)
In Press: A set of thanka posters of the "25 Gangchen Shingtai-Saljed"
is now in the process of printing and will be distributed to all Tibetan
schools free of cost. The New English-Tibetan Dictionary published by
DOE in 2000 and reprinted in 2001 will be made available to students of
this year's Class VII and VIII at concessional rate. This dictionary is
being revised to bring out the 2nd edition. Any criticism or suggestion
for its improvement is highly welcome. Go
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Project News
- Tibetan Transit School Project:
The DOE is grateful to Mr. George Gehrster of Switzerland for funding
assistance for the construction of staff dining hall, which is nearing
completion.
- Paonta Project:
CST Paonta being the largest school under the Sambhota Tibetan Schools Administration (STSA), has been able to find funds for the much needed construction of staff quarters. The 1st phase of staff quarters for 24 teachers are being constructed and nearing completion. We are grateful to our Japanese friends for the necessary funding.
- Children's Dining Hall Project at Pokhriabong:
STS Pokhriabong is one of the poorest schools, where some of the remote area children are accommodated. With the kind financial assistance from Body & Balance, Austria, children's dining hall and kitchen is being built. However, due to budgetary constraints, the construction is being held up. Therefore, all the concerned sponsors are requested to donate any amount of money to complete this project and to carry out other small projects in this school.
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