New Education Minister Takes Charge
Mr. Thupten Lungrig formally took charge as Minister of Education on September 20, 2001. He succeeds Mrs. Rinchen Khando Choegyal, who had held the portfolio from August 9, 1993 and recently completed the maximum two-term limit as a minister.
Prior to his ministerial appointment, Mr. Lungrig was nominated to the Twelfth Assembly of Tibetan Peoples Deputies (ATPD) by His Holiness the Dalai Lama in 1996 and served as its Vice- Chairman and was elected the Chairman of 13th ATPD. He studied at the Central School for Tibetans (CST) in Dalhousie and completed Shastri and Acharya degrees from the Central Institute of Higher Tibetan Studies, Sarnath from where he also obtained Bachelors degree in Education. He worked as a teacher at the Tibetan Children’s Village School in Dharamsala for over a decade and later as Principal of the TCV School in Suja.
An Ode to His Holiness from a Teacher
Mr. G.B. Singh, Post Graduate Teacher (English) of Central School for Tibetans, Mussoorie composed and presented a poem on the occasion of the 67 birth anniversary of His Holiness the Dalai Lama, titled: “Ode To His Holiness the Dalai Lama” which runs into 87 stanzas. In the poem, he has vividly depicted the biography of the Dalai Lama, the embodiment of Compassionate Buddha and as a champion of world peace and freedom.
Music & Dance Teacher Training Course Conclude
Eighteen trainees successfully completed the 2-year Music & Dance Teacher Training Course sponsored by the Department of Education at the Tibetan Institute of Performing Arts (TIPA) on 27th August 2001. They received their diplomas from the Chairman of the Tibetan Cabinet, Mr. Sonam Topgyal at the graduation ceremony.
In-service Training for Post Graduate Tibetan Language Teachers
The Department of Education organised a ten-day inservice course for Post Graduate Tibetan language teachers at the College of Higher Tibetan Studies, Sarah, Dharamsala from 1st to 10th October 2001. Tibetan teachers from all senior secondary schools attended the course, which primarily dealt with innovations in teaching methodology for improving reading and writing skills. The Education Minister inaugurated the inservice course. In the valedictory address, the chief guest, Kalon Tripa (Chairman of Kashag), Prof. Samdhong Rinpoche stressed the need to improve the learning of rich Tibetan language, which is learnt not only for the Tibetans but also for the interest of the entire human-kind.
Revised Tibetan Language Textbooks
The High Level Tibetan Textbook Committee has brought out a set of 2 textbooks each for Classes VI to VIII. The revised textbooks will be made available by the start of next academic session (2002-03) for all Tibetan Schools.
DEPARTMENTAL BRIEFS
Workshop for Science & Maths Teachers
Inservice Training Course for Science and Maths teachers (TGT) was organised by the Department of Education in collaboration with Central Tibetan Schools Administration (CTSA), New Delhi, from 19th to 28th October 2001 at Central School for Tibetans, Paonta Sahib. The training focussed on teaching methodology and the use of multi-media in classroom instruction. The participants also received one day training on L. Ron Hubbard’s Study Technology: "Learning How to Learn" given by Applied Scholastics International, Patiala. Mr. C. Dharuman, Education Officer (Science), CTSA, New Delhi inaugurated the workshop. Dr. M.P. Sood, Sub-divisional Magistrate, Paonta Sahib was the chief guest at the valedictory function.
School Inspections
Mr. Tsering Phuntsok, Mr. Tsering Samdup, Education Officers from DOE and Mr. Karma Chungdak, Director of Sambhota Tibetan Schools Administration visited the Tibetan schools at Paonta Sahib, Puruwala, Kamrao and Dekyiling (Dehradun) for annual school inspection from 13th to 22nd May 2001. They also talked to the students and teachers giving necessary guidance for academic improvement.
Mr. Tsering Samdup, Education Officer, DOE accompanied Mr. A.S. Rawat, Education Officer (S.S.), CTSA for the joint inspection of CST Dalhousie from 13th to 15th September 2001.
From 22nd to 26th November 2001, Mr. Tsering Samdup, Education Officer (DOE) and Mr. C. Dharuman, Education Officer (CTSA) conducted annual inspection of CST Chandragiri, Orissa.
College of Higher Tibetan Studies Inaugurated
The Department of Education has given recognition & affiliation to the College of Higher Tibetan Studies(formerly Institute of Buddhist Dialectics) at Sarah, Dharamsala on 26th April 2001 . The then Education Kalon, Mrs. Richen K. Choegyal formally inaugurated the college on 15th August 2001. The college provides correspondence course in Thorim Rigne Rabjampa, a 3-year course in higher Tibetan Studies after school education. The first batch of 26 students graduated in August this year.
Annual Tibetan Essay Competition, 2001
Department of Education conducted the Annual Tibetan Essay Competition on 31st August 2001 for the students of Classes VI to XII in Tibetan schools in India and Nepal. In all, 195 students participated in the contest. The top 3 entries of each class category will be awarded cash prizes and ceritifcates.
Winners of Annual Tibetan Essay Competition, 2001
| Category |
Position |
Name |
School |
| Class XII |
First |
Tsering Choedon |
CST Bylakuppe |
|
Second |
Tashi Lhamo |
CST Bylakuppe |
|
Third |
Jamyang Thinley |
TNMF School |
|
Class XI |
First |
Lobsang Topgyal |
THF,Mussoorie |
|
Second |
Samten |
SOS Bylakuppe |
|
Third |
Ngawang Tashi |
CST Mussoorie |
|
Third |
Ngawang Chonjor |
CST Mundgod |
|
Class X |
First |
Kalsang Tsering |
Upper TCV |
|
First |
Choenyi Samdup |
SOS, Gopalpur |
|
Second |
Kalsang Namgyal |
Sera Je School |
|
Second |
Dolma Tsering |
NHSS, Nepal |
|
Third |
Tenzin Nyindak |
SOS Bylakuppe |
|
Third |
Jigmey Lhundup |
TCV, Ladakh |
|
Third |
Ngawang Dolma |
THF, Mussoorie |
|
Class IX |
First |
Norbu Tsering |
TCV Suja |
|
Second |
Lobsang Phuntsok |
Sera Je School |
|
Third |
Dorjee Gyaltsen |
CST Kalimpong |
|
Third |
Tsering Yangzom |
Upper TCV |
|
Class VIII |
First |
Rinchen Tsering |
CST, Dholanji |
|
First |
Nyima Ngodup |
Upper TCV |
|
Second |
Buddha Kyap |
TCV, Suja |
|
Third |
Thinlay Wangchuk |
CST,Chauntra |
|
Class VII |
First |
Tashi Gyalpo |
Sera Je School |
|
Second |
Choephel |
TCV Suja |
|
Third |
Tenzin Youdon |
TCV Patli Kuhl |
|
Class VI |
First |
Tsering Kyi |
TCV Suja |
|
Second |
Kunsang Dolma |
TCV Ladakh |
|
Third |
Lobsang Tenzin |
THF Mussoorie |
Tibetan Student in University Merit List
Migmar Lhundup of Govt. R.C. College of Commerce in Bangalore has passed the M. Com (1st Year), 2001 with first class and ranked 7th among the top 10 students of the Bangalore University. The Department of Education congratulates him for this distinguished performance.
SCHOOL
School Feature:
Central School for Tibetans, Bylakuppe
Central School for Tibetans, Bylakuppe, is one of the major schools under Central Tibetan Schools Administration, New Delhi. The school was established in the year 1962. It is ideally located in the Lugsum Samdup ling Tibetan Settlement, Bylakuppe. There are 882 students and 42 staff. The school has primary school branches at Chowkur, Kalilashpura, Gulledahalla and Arlikumari.
With good infra-structural facilities, the school is equipped with computer lab, language lab, science lab, resource centre, woodcraft and tailoring sections, geography lab, Minimum Level of Learning section, career & guidance cell, sports room, music and dance room. The school was in need of a multipurpose hall, which was finally fulfilled with kind help from DOE and Kasur Jetsun Pema, the President of Tibetan Children’s Villages. All these facilities, provide a congenial learning atmosphere to the children.
Furthermore, the school has been consistently producing excellent results in academics. In the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) examination of Class XII held in March 2001, Tenzin Monlam ranked first in the Humanities Stream among all the CTSA schools and Fatima scored 95% marks in Geography and received a CBSE merit certificate. These achievements were possible because the main motto of the school is to instill in the children the values of goodness, truthfulness, morality, social behaviour and good discipline to make them world citizen blessed with scientific outlook, spiritual growth and aesthetic sensibilities.
The school also maintains good rapport with the children’s parents. Parents Teachers Association’s meetings are regularly held to feel their pulse regarding the progress of their wards. Mrs. Tharlam D. Changra is the present Principal of the school. The school believes that teachers and parents have inherited an enormous task of bringing up this new generation which will work for the upliftment of the society and create a unique world wherein talents and capacities will find full expression.
Tibetan Students Sweep Honours at Salwan Marathon Meet
Fifty students of Tibetan Homes Foundation School, Mussoorie, participated in the 7th Salwan Marathon Meet held at Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium on 14th October 2001. They swept away with the champions’ trophy in the under-14 and under-17 age group for both boys and girls. Over 14,000 students from top schools in India participated in the marathon meet. In the 5-km run in the under-14 age group for girls, Dawa Lhamo and Chokdup were declared first and third, respectively.
Essay Writing & Painting Contest Results
English essay competition for the students of Class IX, X and teachers and painting contest for the students of Class V and VI were conducted on July 15th and 20th, 2000 to commemorate the 60th Anniversary of His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s Enthronement at the Potala Palace and the 50th Anniversary of His Assumption of State Responsibility. It was sponsored by Mr. Hiro Sukeyasu of Japan. A total of 54 students and 3 teachers received cash prizes. The winners of the two best entries among the students: Ms. Tenzin Dolkar and Ms. Sonam Yangchen, both students of TCV School, Suja will also be visiting Japan as guests of the sponsor. They will be accompanied by Ms. Tashi Bhuti, Primary teacher at Sambhota Tibetan School, Pokhriabong, who was declared winner from among the teacher entries.
Dekyiling School Wins Carbery Football Tournament
The boys of Sambhota Tibetan School, Dekyiling, lifts the champion trophy in the Carbery Inter-School Sub-Junior Football Tournament organised by Carman School, Dehradun, in which 27 schools from the Doon Valley took part. Tenzin Yonten was awarded the best individual player of the tournament.
DEPARTMENTAL BRIEFS
Middle Schools History Quiz Contest Held
Sambhota Tibetan Schools Administration (STSA) has organised Middle Schools Inter School History Quiz Contest at Central School for Tibetans, Chauntra on 14th October 2001. Nine schools from in and around Dharamsala participated in the contest. Tenzin Rangdol (Class VIII) of CST Paonta stood first, master Tenzin Wangchuk (Class VIII) of CST Chauntra was second position and Tenzin Jamyang (Class VIII) of Lower TCV, Dharamsala secured third position. The basic objective of the above activity is to create greater awareness on Tibetan History and on the functioning of Central Tibetan Administration (CTA) among the students. STSA will compile the quiz questions in the form of book so that the general public can also benefit from the information.
Third Conference of Tibetan Fulbright Alumni Association held
The third conference of the Tibetan Fulbright Alumni Association (TFAA) was held on 13th and 14th October 2001 at Dharamsala under the sponsorship of United States Information Services (USIS) and DOE to strengthen the TFAA’s activities. The conference was attended by over 40 members and was chaired by Education Minister, Mr. Thupten Lungrig. Former Education Minister, Mrs. Kalon Rinchen K. Choegyal also participated in the conference. Mr. Robert Schmidt, Mrs. Marjorie R. Harrison and Mr. J.P. Das of the USIS, US Embassy, New Delhi, were unable to attend the conference due to the visit of the US Secretary of State to India. The new seven member central co-ordinating committee was elected and will serve for a term of years.
Counsellor Visits North Eastern Schools
Counsellor, Mr. Kalsang Tsewang made an extensive tour to visit CST schools at Sonada, Darjeeling and Kalimpong and STSA schools at Pokhriabong and Gangtok in the NorthEastern Region from 11th August to 30th September, 2001. The main purpose of this tour was to conduct intensive counseling program for students from class VIII to XII. He spent nearly 10 days in each school guiding and helping each student in making the right career choice keeping in view one’s interests, limitations and aspirations. The special focus and concentration during this visit is to administer ‘Aptitude Test’ followed with Individual interview and counseling. The test helped to assess students’ aptitudes in specific areas, personality and motivation and thereby making a relevant choice of career. He also gave some tips on how teachers can help and guide children in the absence of counselor on day to day basis to realize their vocational aspirations. This was appreciated by all.
Funding Required For The Following Projects
| Project Title |
Amount (US $) |
|
Construction of kitchen-cum-dining hall , Tenzing Gang |
15,889 |
|
Pre-Primary School, Sidhpur, Dharamsala |
120,054 |
|
Multi Purpose hall construction, Tezu |
15,031 |
|
Creche and Pre-Primary School construction, Tezu |
16,008 |
|
Construction of bridge, Mainpat |
10,676 |
|
Construction of sanitary block, TNMF School, Clement Town |
6,844 |
|
School Jeep, Gangtok |
12,752 |
|
Construction of New Boarding School, Manali |
1,222,000 |
|
STSA School recurring Expenses |
1,604,700 |
|
Construction of Day Care Centre, Norbu Linka |
42,513 |
|
School Bus, Norbu Lingka |
21,193 |
|
School Bus, Mcleod Ganj |
22,138 |
|
Construction of New School Building, Srinagar |
81,522 |
|
Publication project of DoE |
95,138 |
|
Scholarship project |
366,667 |
|
Hostel in Chandigarh |
568,403 |
|
Foreign Language Scholarship programme |
20,000 |
|
Fixture & Furnishing, Pokhriabong School |
12,565 |
|
Repair of Montessori School, Pokhriabong |
3,333 |
