This issue is dedicated to the 60th enthronement anniversary and the 50th anniversary of His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama assuming state responsibility.
New English-Tibetan Dictionary released
His Excellency the President of South Tyrol, Mr. Durnwalder, officially released the New English-Tibetan Dictionary by the Department of Education, CTA on Friday, February 23rd 2001 at Dharamsala.
It is now being distributed to all the Tibetan Schools. A limited number of copies are however available for open sale through the Tibetan Cultural Printing Press (Sherig Pharkhang) here at Dharamsala and Katmandu, Nepal.
The first edition has 904 pages, 60,000 words, 350 illustrations and more than 3000 new Tibetan scientific and technical terms.
Department web site launched
At a simple function organized in the department and attended by all the staff, the Education Minister Mrs. Rinchen K. Choegyal formally launched the Department of Education’s official web site at www.tcewf.org on March 14th 2001. In her inaugural address she stressed on the significance of the new web site. Research Officer Mr. Thupten Chodak who developed the website made a brief presentation on the web site’s special features.
The domain name tcewf.org stands for Tibetan Children’s Educational and Welfare Fund, which is the Department’s registered body. Content wise, it provides information on various areas of the department’s activity viz. Introduction, Administration, Publication, Training, Scholarship, Sponsorship, Project, Presentation, School, Contact, FAQ etc and through them further on to hundreds of pages of information on various issues.
We are truly honored to receive a special message for the web site from His Holiness the Dalai Lama. We have reproduced the full text of the message in our web site home page.
Message excerpt from His Holiness the Dalai Lama for new web site
"...education and knowledge are like an instrument. Whether that instrument is put to use in a constructive or destructive way depend on each person’s motivation. An education system that cultivates smart brains alone can sometimes create more problems than it solves. I believe that the progress that has been made under the auspices of our Department of Education in our schools and allied institutions has gone a long way towards fulfilling the needs of Tibetan children, which is something in which we can justifiably take pride. But that doesn’t mean we can just relax, we need to keep up our effort and continue to try to improve. A vivid example of how far we Tibetans have come in caching up with the modern world is the Department of Education’s new website. Now anyone, anywhere in the world with access to the Internet, whether he or she is an ambitious and aspiring Tibetan student, a concerned parent, or an interested and well-intentioned supporter will be able to browse through the opportunities, achievements, hopes and plans of the Department. It is clearly laid out and open to all...."
College students organize Tibet Festival
The Tibetan students attending colleges in Chandigarh organized a three-day Festival of Tibet from February 2nd through 4th, 2001. The Chief Minister of Punjab inaugurated the event, which was also attended by the Tibetan Education Minister Mrs. Rinchen K. Choegyal.
She was accompanied by Mrs. Nangsa Choedon, Additional Secretary, DOE. During her visit the Education Minister met the members of Bharat Tibet Sahyog Manch and the Vice Chancellor of Punjab University. She also addressed the Tibetan students at a separate meeting.
DEPARTMENTAL BRIEFS ....
Special NEP meeting held
On our request, Dr. Satya Bhushan and Dr. Baldev Mahajan, both consultants to the National Education Policy (NEP) Committee, took part in a special two-day deliberation on January 4_5, 2001 at the Kashag Hall, CTA Dharamsala. The Education Minister Mrs. Rinchen K. Choegyal briefly took part in the meeting, which was chaired by the Education Secretary Mr. Tsering Dhundup. NEP members Mr. Tashi N. Rikha, Joint Secretary, Department of Education and Mr. Karma Tensum, Principal, Tibetan Nehru Memorial Foundation School, Clement Town took part in the proceedings.
The experts provided valuable suggestions on the policy statements to be included under different content areas in the draft NEP document, based on all the research study done so far and the feedback obtained. The draft NEP will be discussed at length by the NEP committee members in their next meeting.
Annual inspection of schools
Mr. Tsering Phuntsok, Education Officer, DOE accompanied by Dr. A.K. Gupta, Principal, Central School for Tibetans, Shimla conducted an annual inspection of CST Bylakuppe, CVP Byalkuppe and CST Gurupura from 18th to 29th January 2001. During their visit they inspected the school facilities and observed classroom teaching and the conduct of morning assembly activities. They also provided useful guidance to the staff and students for further improvement of the schools.
Teachers training course concluded
The Department of Education has successfully conducted an Intensive three-month primary teachers training program at the Institute of Buddhist Dialectics, Sarah in lieu of regular training for 14 untrained teachers currently employed in Tibetan schools in Nepal.
The course, which began in December last year, concluded on March 18, 2001. On the last day the trainees organized an exhibition on the teaching aids they had prepared as part of project work for the course. In his valedictory address, the Chief Guest Mr. Tashi Norbu Rikha, Joint Secretary and Head of the Academic Research and Planning, DOE stressed on the significance of teacher training programs and need to make optimum use of the teaching skills acquired to make learning more activity oriented and fun for the children. He gave away the certificates to the trainees.
Annual school Rectors’ meeting held
The Annual Rectors’ meeting was held on January 16th &17th 2001. The Education Minister Mrs. Rinchen Khando Choegyal inaugurated the meeting and the Education Secretary Mr. Tsering Dhundup chaired the proceedings. Deliberations were held on various matters relating to improving the welfare of students viz.
- Hostel maintenance and management,
- Schools discipline,
- Scholarship for school graduates,
- Cultural preservation and effective teaching of Tibetan language,
- Moral and value education etc.
Miss. Ingeborg Schaller visit Tibetan schools
Miss. Ingeborg Schaller of Body and Balance, Austria, who is a strong supporter of Tibetan education programs, visited CST Chauntra and CST Dalhousie from February 28th through March 3rd 2001. She showed keen interest in the progress being made at CST Chauntra and promised more help. She also made an extensive tour of CST Dalhousie where she donated over Rs. 50,000/- for numerous urgent requirements of the school. She also donated Rs. 34,700/- to the local Tibetan Welfare Officer towards the maintenance and furniture of the community’s study room for the day scholars.
Berea College candidates selected
The annual selection test for candidates to undertake study at Berea college, Kentucky, USA was conducted in November 2000. Miss Tenzin Palkey and Master Sonam Tseten were selected for the program. The candidate will leave for the college in Fall 2001.
Taiwan scholarships awarded
National Sun-Yat Sen University, Taiwan awards scholarships for master’s degree on various subjects. The following were selected for the program this year: Mr. Yeshi Thinley Phuntsok , Mr. Tsering Bhuchung, Mr. Tsering Kathup Gyal, Mr. Sonam Norbu and Mr. Jampa Choephel.
Wasatch Academy scholarships announced.
Two Tibetan students will be selected this year to study at the Wasatch Academy, Utah, USA to undergo a four year senior school program from grades IX through XII. The schools will forward their short listed candidates from whom the Department will select the final candidates after an extensive written and oral test.
The candidates should be class VIII graduate of 2000 /2000- 2001 and must be below 15 years of age as on December 31st 2000.
Announcement of annual DoE scholarships.
The following scholarships have been announced by the Department. Detailed information has been send to all the local Tibetan Welfare/Settlement officers/Rectors and can also be read online at www.tcewf.org The following is a brief seat distribution pattern:-
|
Course |
Seats |
Course |
Seats |
Course |
Seats |
|
Medicine |
3 |
Engineering |
6 |
Pharmacy |
1 |
|
Diplomas |
5 |
B.Sc.BEd |
4 |
Degree |
56 |
|
Post Graduate |
34 |
One Year pgm. |
6 |
Others |
3 |
ESP Program Director’s visit
Ecumenical Scholarship Program (ESP) Director Mr. Reinhard Koppe and Dr. Arun Kotenkar (scholarship coordinator) visited Delhi on February 8th 2001. The visitors met our scholarship coordinators and discussed ways to further the interest of the Tibetan students and as how best to fully utilize the scholarship programs currently being implemented. They also met some of the scholarship recipients.
Students go on education tour
Class XI students of CST Paonta went on an educational tour to historic places viz. Jaipur, Delhi and Agra for its class XI students from January 1st through 8th 2001. The historical importance of these cities will surely instill in the students a sense of deep admiration and a desire to learn more about the rich Indian History. CST Chauntra organized an educational tour for its students from remote areas who could not go home during the school winter break. The tour to Rewalsar was arranged where they also visited the renowned Guru Padamasabhava and Mandarva meditation centers. As it was their first ever visit to this holy place, the students felt blessed and enriched with their knowledge of the holy lake’s history.
Our Friends and supporters
Denmark: Danish Children’s Fund, Danish Tibetan Cultural Society, Joan Nelson, Tibet Help United Kingdom: Tibetan Community in Britain, Tibet Relief Fund, Tibet House Trust, Tibet Foundation, Ockenden Venture, AP Tibet, Pestolozzi Children’s Village USA: Sales Foundation, Christopher Walter, American Embassy, Barry Hershey, USHA Sweden: SOIR-IM, Sanga Societas Switzerland: Lhasa Boys Association, Swiss Youth Association, Verein Tibet Fruende Norway: SOS Kinderdof International , Bergen University Netherlands: Netherlands Embassy New Zealand: Mr. Thupten KusngGermany: Syamatra, Dr. Hanns Blauert, Dr. Johannes Limbrock, Kurt Wehner, Mrs. Irmtraut Wager-German Aids for Tibetans, ESP France: Claudin Bisson, Rangtsen, Soutien a l’ Education Tibetaine, Foundation Alexander David Neel, Mellainie Thiebaut/Brigitte Sellier Italy: Associazione Per la Solidarieta Internazionale in Asia, Jepa Foundation, Italia Tibet Association Israel: Israeli Friends of the Tibetan People; USA: Steve Drago Australia: Tibetan Friendship Group Austria: Ingeborg Schaller-Body N’ Balance Japan: Hiro Sukeyasu, Busshokai Nepal: Mr. Ngawang Namgyal, Gyanor Tsewang, Sonam Thondup, Ngawang Tharchin, Tashi Tsering, Tashi Tsering, Lhamo Choedon , Rainer Jedinet.
SCHOOLS/SPONSORS ...
School Feature:
Tibetan Children’s Village School, Upper Dharamsala
After His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s flight to India in 1950, it was quickly apparent that one of the most critical needs of Tibetan refugees was finding a means to care for the many children who had been orphaned or separated from their families during the arduous escape from their homeland. His Holiness promptly recognized that the future of Tibet and its people depended upon the younger generation. With this in mind and out of concern for the miserable conditions under which so many children were suffering, His Holiness proposed that a center for destitute children be established in Dharamsala.
On 17 May 1960, fifty-one children arrived from the road construction camps in Jammu, ill and malnourished. Mrs. Tsering Dolma Takla, the elder sister of His Holiness, volunteered to look after them. Initially these children were assigned to members of the Dalai Lama’s entourage, but before long the Government of India offered its assistance, renting Conium House to accommodate all the children together. At that time, the center was under the name "Nursery for Tibetan Refugee Children".
Originally, the Nursery for Tibetan Refugee Children provided only the basic care for children as they were sent to other residential schools established by the Government of India when they more mature. But eventually this arrangement could not be continued, as all the residential schools became filled to capacity. This left the Nursery to find a solution to problem of overcrowding. Under Mrs. Jetsun Pema, the then Director, it was decided that the Nursery had to grow and expand despite many apparent obstacles.
A massive reorganization plan was set into motion. This included seeking help from private donors and international aid organizations. A period of hectic construction work ensued to provide for more houses and classrooms for children. The Nursery slowly took the shape of a small village with its own school and homes. This children’s’ village is what is called today as the Upper TCV School at Dharamsala with over 2409 students on roll. The school offers its students the option of either enrolling for science or Humanities stream in the senior secondary level. There are over 341 teaching and non-teaching staff under its current Principal Mr. Tenzin Sangpo.
PUBLICATIONS/PROJECTS ...
New Publications
Bod Kyi Sogcha
A collection of comic stories
from Gangjong magazine
Edited by: Kelsang Khedup
Art by: Sonam Dhondhup
Pages 91, Price: Rs. 10/-
Thap Kyi Tulwa
A collection of comic stories
from Pahyul magazines
Edited by: Kelsang Khedup
Art by: Sonam Dhondhup
Pages 92, Price: Rs. 10/-
Hamlet
Translated into Tibetan
By: Tsewang Namgyal
Edited by: Kelsang Khedup
Pages 57, Price: Rs. 15/-
Magic Stone & Panda
A collection of comic stories
from Phayul Shejai Bangzod
Edited by: Kelsang Khedup
Art by: Sermey Ngawang Gyatso
Pages 27, Price: Rs. 18/-
Tsartam
A collection of comical stories
Edited by: Kelsang Khedup
Pages 83, Price: Rs. 15/-
Ngusar
Volume 3:
The third edition of Ngusar children’s essay book which is a complilation of winning essays was send to all the Tibetan school in March 2001.
Phayul
Shejai Bangzod:
The March 2001 issue of Phayul Shejai Bangzod has been released
A 4 page monthly children’s magazine with over 50% color, it is priced at only Rs. 5/- per issue.
Projects awaiting funds:
Project
| Number |
Project Title |
Cost in
Indian Rs. |
Cost in
US$ |
A.3 |
Pre-primary & Creche Project |
3 288 200 |
99642 |
A.4 |
Teacher Training Centre, Delhi |
152,20,700 |
461233 |
A.10 |
Kitchen & Dining Hall, Tenzingang |
576000 |
17455 |
A.11 |
Hostel Expansion, Mainpat |
474000 |
14363 |
A.12 |
hostel construction, Chandragiri |
1086750 |
32932 |
A.13 |
Boarding School in Bangalore |
85591330 |
2593676 |
A.17 |
Norbu Lingka Creche & Pre-Primary School Project |
56540 |
|
A.22 |
Solar Water heater in 6 schools |
2168100 |
61946 |
A.23 |
Chauntra School construction (Phase II & III) |
16110152 |
460290 |
A.29 |
Computer for 21 schools |
10374000 |
247000 |
A.30(a) |
Reflooring and renovation of CST Bir |
200 000 |
|
A.32 |
Dining Hall for Chandrigiri school |
1335983 |
|
A.33 |
Multipurpose Hall for CST Mundgod |
1752700 |
42749 |
A.36 |
Youth Exchange Hostel in Dharamsala (partial funding) |
5000000 |
177647 |
A.37 |
Youth Hostel in Delhi |
110000000 |
2650602 |
A.38 |
Tezu Multi Purpose Hall |
13,96,925 |
|
A.39 |
2 classrooms constructions, Dholanji |
2,80,000 |
|
B.05 |
Children’s Publication Project |
1902400 |
57648 |
B.09 |
Cultural development in 64 schools |
6408800 |
194206 |
B.10 |
Audio-visual aid |
1491000 |
45182 |
B.15 |
DoE school head workshop |
111300 |
3180 |
B.16 |
3 Year Teacher Trn. Program |
1087350 |
31068 |
B.19 |
Preservation & Development of Tibetan culture |
4952050 |
|
B.22 |
Development of Teaching Professionals in Tibetan Schools |
1538900 |
35788 |
B.24 |
Publication Project of the DoE |
4 281 200 |
99 563 |
B.25 |
Pokhriabong Library Furniture |
2,50,250 |
|
C.02 |
Chandigarh Hostel construction |
21500000 |
651151 |
C.03 |
Scholarship Project |
16500000 |
270500 |
C.06 |
Establishment of Tibetan University |
1000000 |
|
