DEPARTMENTAL BRIEFS CTSA Director Visits South Schools Two CTSA Teachers Receive National Award Gadhen Phodrang Student Merit Awards DOE Officials Receive Awards Counsellor Visits Schools Cultural & Social Awareness Programme in Schools School Inspections Annual Service Award for School Staff, 2005 Newly Trained Teachers Visit Indian Schools SCHOOL FEATURE Tibetan Children's Village School, Suja SCHOLARSHIP NEWS Scholarship News PROJECT NEWS Project News

THE NEWS

CTSA Director Visits South Schools The Director Dr. M.S. Verma, Central Tibetan Schools Administration (CTSA), Delhi and Joint Secretary Mr. Tashi N. Rikha, Department of Education (DOE), Dharamsala visited Tibetan schools in the four southern Tibetan settlements from July 21-26. Officials of the Chief Representative (South Zone) Office received them at Bangalore airport. They visited Central Schools for Tibetans (CST) at Bylakuppe, CVP Bylakuppe, Gurupura and Kollegal where they were warmly received by settlement officials, school principal, headmaster, staff and parents and interacted with the staff and school children. At CST Gurupura, Dr. Verma inaugurated the classrooms (2nd phase), staff quarters (1st phase) and Mathematics Park at the school on July 23. He also laid the foundation stone for another set of classrooms and staff quarters. Two CTSA Teachers Receive National Award This year's recipients of National Award for Teachers, 2004 from amongst CTSA schools were Mr. S.P. Sharma, Principal of CST Dholanji and Mr. Tashi Tsering Zongpa, postgraduate science teacher of CST Mundgod. The President of India Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam on Teachers' Day (September 5) presented the prestigious award to 306 teachers at Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi at a function presided over by the Minister for Human Resource Development, Govt. of India, Shri Arjun Singh. A special felicitation ceremony was held at the CTSA Headquarters on Sept. 6. The Chairman of the Assembly of Tibetan People's Deputies, and the Department of Education, CTA, congratulated both the national awardees. Gadhen Phodrang Student Merit Awards This year's toppers amongst Tibetan students who appeared in the All India Senior Secondary Certificate Examination held in March 2005 were presented the Gadhen Phodrang Student Merit Awards and prize money of Rs.5000/- each. Mr. Pema Jungney, Chairman of Assembly of Tibetan People's Deputies presented the awards at the Tibetan Democracy Day annual ceremony held at Dharamsala on September 2. The award recipients were Ogyen of TCV Gopalpur for Humanities, Jamyang Phuntsok of CST Mussoorie for Science and Lodhen of TCV Bylakuppe for Commerce. DOE Officials Receive Awards Mrs. Tashi Dolma, a Joint Secretary in the Department of Education was the recipient of this year’s Central Tibetan Administration's Staff Award. Kalon Tripa Prof. Samdhong Rinpoche presented the award, which carries a cash award of ten thousand rupees and a certificate of merit, at the Tibetan Democracy Day annual ceremony on September 2. Mrs. Dolma joined the civil service in 1974 with first posting as a junior clerk at the Bureau of His Holiness the Dalai Lama and since served in various capacities. Presently, she heads Scholarship & Sponsorship Section. Education Officer Mr. Tsering Phuntsok was among the 161 educationists who received the Dr. Radhakrishnan Memorial National Teacher Award 2005 at a colourful function held at Delhi on September 3. The award was presented by Shri Mangat Ram Singhal, Minister for Industry & Labour, Govt. of Delhi. The award is instituted by the All India Freelance Journalists and Writers Association and is presented to educationists for their outstanding contribution in the field of education. Counsellor Visits Schools Counselor Mr. Jamyang Wangyal visited schools at CST Chauntra, STS Bhuntar, CST Manali and CST Shimla from July 11-26. In the second phase, the counselor visited CST Poanta Sahib, CST Herbertpur, CST Mussoorie and STS Deckyiling from July 31 to August 24. During the visit, the counselor conducted individual and group sessions for students covering topics viz. self-understanding, career awareness and planning, understanding the world of work, peer pressure, developing positive attitude, interview skills, new career options after school, DoE scholarships etc.. He also interacted with school teachers and staff and provided guidance to teacher counselors on the implementation of the minimum guidance and counseling programme prepared by DoE. Cultural & Social Awareness Programme in Schools A series of talks on cultural and social issues was organized at Tibetan schools in south India from July 20 to August 8 in collaboration with Dharamsala based NGO Gu Chu Sum. Students, staff, and public in the southern settlements attended talks given by former political prisoners Mr. Penpa Tsering and Mr. Soepa. Similar talks by Ven. Ngawang Woebar and Phurbu Tsering was also organized at schools in Dekyiling, Rajpur, Clementown, Mussoorie, Herbertpur, Paonta, Puruwala & Selakui from September 5-12. These talks have been greatly appreciated by the students and public. School Inspections Education Officer Tsering Samdup conducted inspections of Sambhota Tibetan School (STS) at Bhuntar near Kullu and CST Manali from July 4-8. STS Bhuntar has been recently accorded secondary school affiliation by the Central Board of Secondary Education. Presently there are 119 children in the school out of which 11 students will be appearing for the Board examination for the first time. He observed classroom teachings and interacted with the students offering suggestions for further improvement. The annual inspection of CST Chandragiri and its two branch schools was conducted by Mr. A.S. Rawat, Education Officer, CTSA & Mr. Tsering Phuntsok, Education Officer, DOE from July 11-12. During the visit they did an overall assessment of the main and branch schools. Besides the students and staff, they also held separate meeting with the parents. They offered suggestions for improving the functioning of the schools. Mr. Phuntsok took part in the inspection of CST Mundgod, its branch school and CST Camp 6 along with Mr. C. Dharuman, CTSA Education Officer (Science) from September 9-13. They discussed ways of achieving better performance in the coming board examinations separately with the senior students and teachers. CST Mundgod provides academic streams in the arts, commerce, science & vocational subjects and is the largest school under CTSA with 1002 school children and 76 staff. They then visited Drepung Loseling School, which receives grant in-aid from CTSA, and talked to the monk students. Ven. Loseling Khen Rinpoche, the Abbot of the monastery, was present on the occasion. Annual Service Award for School Staff, 2005 The Department of Education, CTA conferred this year's Annual Service Awards to 46 teaching and non-teaching staff who have completed 25 years of service in the Tibetan schools. Names of the recipients are: CST Dholanji: S.P. Sharma; Lekshed Tsal School, Nepal: Lobsang Wangdu; Mount Kailash School, Nepal: Rishi Ram Sharma, Bhuchey; THS Mussoorie: Tsering Dhondup, Pema Choewang, Tsering Dolma, Tsering Bhuti; CST Kalimpong: Namgyal Bhuti; CST Bir: Sonam Tsering; CST Mundgod: Sonam Bagdro, Sonam Nyidon; TCV Bylakuppe: Phuntsok Namgyal, Samphel Tsering, Tsering Yonten; TCV Gopalpur: Lobsang Tenzin; TCV Head Office: Lobsang Dawa; TCV Ladakh: Karma Kunsang, Lhamo Sonam, Nyima Dolma, Palkyi Tsering, Pema Dolma, Rinchen Sangpo, Samkyi Dolma, Sherab Tsetan, Tashi Dolma, Tashi Kyizom, Tashi Phuntsok, Tsering Dolma, Tsering Norgye, Urgyen Dhondup; TCV Lower Dharamsala: Gangtse Dolma, TCV EDRC: Kunsang Dorjee; TCV Patlikuhl: Choenga Lhamo, Kalsang Dorjee; TCV Selakui: Phuntsok Sithar; TCV Suja: Pema Tsultrim, Lobsang Tashi; TCV Dharamsala Cantt.: Lobsang Palkyi, Sonam Namdak, Tsering Dekyi, TCV TTC: Sithar Dolma; CST CVP Bylakuppe: Dekyi Dolkar, CST Chandragiri: Chime Youngdung; CST Kollegal: Wangdak, Tsetan Dolma. The award recipients were presented with a service certificate and a traditional Thangka as a gesture of appreciation on behalf of all Tibetan students. Newly Trained Teachers Visit Indian Schools Ten teachers, who had successfully completed the recently concluded three month re-orientation course in Dharamsala and selected to teach at the soon to be started first model school as per Basic Education Policy, along with the appointed headmaster, visited The Valley School in Bangalore, run by the J. Krishnamurthy Foundation and Mirambika School in Delhi run by the Sri Aurobindo Ashram from September 13-21. They were accompanied by STSA Director Karma Chungdak, DOE Education Officer Tsering Samdup. They observed daily activities at the schools and interacted with the students and faculty sharing views and ideas. The teachers gained many insights on the philosophy of these schools and their functioning. Tibetan Children’s Village School, Suja Following the limited liberalization policy of the Chinese regime in 1980s, Tibetans by the thousands crossed over to India to seek freedom from suppression and persecution. Among the escapees there were a sizable number of illiterate young adults who needed basic education and life skills. For this purpose, the Central Tibet Administration (CTA) established an adult education school, named New Tibetan School in 1986 at Bir, 75 km from Dharamsala. The first group of 68 students initially lived and studied in rented houses. Later in 1990, the responsibility of running the school was entrusted to TCV, as it had the required experience and capacity. At the time of takeover, there were 322 young adults with many joining every day. For TCV, it was a moment of great challenge. Everything had to be reorganized and restructured in a systematic manner, keeping in mind the special needs of the students. New policy guidelines were made aimed at standardizing the education and opening other opportunities for further education and training. New arrivals from Tibet, mainly in their early teens, are admitted to a special Opportunity Class for two-year duration where they undergo accelerated course work and on successful completion join class VI directly. In spite of the considerable difficulties encountered in the effort to create a new kind of school within the TCV system, the school which was renamed Tibetan Children’s Village School, Suja became a huge success. The school is affiliated and has adapted well to the new system of education in accordance with the Central Board of Secondary Education. Its 1st Class X batch with 78 students appeared in CBSE Board Examination in March 2005 of which 63 students passed (80.76%). School education is based not only on the textbook curriculum but also on moral values and cultural aspects through child-centered learning activities for sound development and awareness in every field of knowledge. Equal importance is given to games, sports and other co-curricular activities. Also, a Vocational Training Center is in place at the school for non-academic students to help them become self-reliant. Currently, the school has an enrollment of 1129 students, all boarders and residing in separate dormitories for boys and girls. The school has a faculty consisting of 57 teachers and 41 general staff. Presently, the school is led by Mr. Pema Tsultrim, the Village Director and Principal Mr. Sonam Sichoe. Project News Boundary Wall project (CST Paonta staff qtr) :- The boundary wall around the newly constructed staff quarters has been completed in August 2005. We thank Music Eight, Japan for providing funds for this project. Tibet Charity projects:- Tibet Charity through its Dharamsala office has agreed to provide funds of around one million rupees in 2005 to support various education and welfare projects at STS Gangtok, Bir, Puruwala, Paonta, Bhuntar and CST Sonada. The projects are currently under implementation. We thank Tibet Charity for their assistance. Development of Pokhriabong school:- The Chairman of Body and Balance, Mrs. Ingeborg Schaller after attending the inaugural ceremony of the new hostel, provided a donation of Euro 8000/- for the improvement of school facilities. We thank the donor for her kind support. Visit by THT Consultant: Ms. Angela James, a consultant of Tibet House Trust-UK visited Dharamsala to monitor projects funded through THT. She met with senior officials and the dealing officers to discuss the progress of the projects and on preparing of the final report on European Commission funded Tibetan Transit School project. Project Evaluation: THT (London) has appointed Planning Commission, CTA to evaluate the education development projects funded by Comic Relief (UK). The evaluation team interacted with all the dealing officials and visited some beneficiary schools as a part of evaluation process. The whole process was useful exercise and beneficial for effective implementation of projects in the future. Visit by IM delegation: SOIR IM delegation consisting of Country Director Mr. Wangchuck Gyalpo, Project Officer Mr. Guru Nyima and Mr.Janusz Lipinski, Project Organizer SOIR-IM Sweden visited Dharamsala on September 19 and met with dealing officials. They discussed on issues ranging from ongoing project, evaluation report and application of Tibetan Land program (2006-08) which was submitted to SMC (Swedish Mission Council). We thank the donor agency for their continuous support and association with Tibetan children's education. Scholarship News The Department of Education conducted the final selection test for 2006 batch of Tibetan students for Fulbright Scholarships in April in New Delhi. Twelve selected candidates (08 for Degree courses and 4 for Non-Degree courses) were given an orientation course at the Bureau of His Holiness the Dalai Lama, New Delhi on preparation of academic documents for admission requirements. This batch of students will leave for United States in August 2006. Ms. Kerri S. Hannan, Exchanges Officer at the American Center, New Delhi and assistant Ms. Rajagopal Geetha visited Dharamsala in May. They received an audience with His Holiness the Dalai Lama and later met with members of the central coordinating committee of the Tibetan Fulbright Alumni Association. The Department hosted a farewell dinner in honour of Ms. Hannan, as she is returning to the United States. The Department of Education conducted Entrance Test for selection for the reserve seats in Medicine MBBS (3 seats) and Engineering (7 seats). The test was conducted at two centers viz. Bangalore and New Delhi. A two-day orientation course was given to the 2005 batch of Fulbright Scholars on June 23-24 in Dharamsala. Talks on important policy issues of Central Tibetan Administration and on the education system and life in US were arranged. On June 20, the DoE Scholarship Committee conducted selection for this year’s DOE scholarship recipients from around 280 applicants. Publication News Selection test and interview for 2006 Hasting College (UK) Scholarship was held at New Delhi in July. Mr. Tashi Dhondup from Upper TCV and Ms. Tashi Yangzom from CST Dalhousie were selected and are scheduled to leave for UK next August to pursue baccalaureate diploma course. Ms. Tenzin Tsangyang and Ms. Tenzin Norzom, both from TCV Dharamsala were selected for the 2005 Atlantic UWC Scholarship & Mahindra UWC Scholarship respectively. The selection test and interview were conducted at Dharamsala in July. They will undertake two year baccalaureate diploma course at the respective colleges.

© Copyright tcewf | | Webmaster