Our story begins in the north Indian hill station of Mussoorie, where the first Tibetan school in exile was officially opened by His Holiness the Dalai lama on March 3rd 1960, just less than a year after he led the massive exodus of Tibetans out of Chinese occupied Tibet. The school opened with a mere fifty pupils-a humble beginning, but one that was to herald the flowering growth of the Tibetan education movement. Today, twenty years later, there are fifty Tibetan schools in exile, educating some 12888 pupils.(the figure is exclusive of an estimated 450 to 500 Tibetan children in private schools in India and 600 at school abroad)

The links in the chain between the Tibetan children and their leader, His Holiness the XIV Dalai lama, are two: the council for Tibetan Education, which is the official body of the Tibetan Government-in exile; and the Central Tibetan Schools Administration (CTSA), an autonomous body under the Ministry of Education of the Government of India.

COUNCIL FOR TIBETAN EDUCATION

The council for Tibetan Education was established in 1960. It is headed by a Director who is a member of the Kashag or Cabinet, appointed by His Holiness the Dalai Lama. In its life the Council has had four such Directors, namely Mr. W.G. Kundeling from 1960 to 1964, the late Mr. T.G. Jangtsatsang form 1964 to 1967, Mr. J Taring from 1968 to 1973, (Mr. W.G. Kundeling returned to office temporarily as Acting Director from 1973 to 1974); and Mr. T. Ningee from 1974 to the present day. The director works closely with his Secretary who in turn is assisted by eight permanent staff members in Head Office.

We at the council always try to act in the best interest of the children themselves, and take keen interest in their welfare and academic progress. The council has a wide variety of functions, including the recommendation and appointment of teachers of Tibetan subjects to all our schools; the selection of the Rectors for the residential schools in areas lacking educational facilities, running a sponsorship program for school -leavers seeking further training; arranging training and reorientation courses for Tibetan teachers; and ordering and distributing Tibetan text-books to all the schools.

In addition, there are several education-related institutions under our aegis, which are discussed later in this book.

Mr. W.G. Kundeling (1960-64)
First Director

Mr. T.G. Jangtsang (1964-68)
Second Director

Mr. Jigme Taring(1968-74)
Third Director

Mr. Mr. T. Ningee(1974-80)
Our present Director