Excerpt from His Holiness' address on education*

"Education must go together with basic human values and teachers must set an example for their students through action and deeds, not merely words. There is too much stress on developing the mind and too little on developing a warm heart. Education should be used to bring more happiness and meaning into life and narrow the gap between perception and reality. Education with basic human values will be constructive and beneficial for society.

We need to develop a sense of caring for one another, a sense of belonging to the community, a sense of respect for each other. The more compassionate you are, the healthier is your mind. All humans must think in terms of a global responsibility. By just relying on information provided by teachers and books, and not individually investigating, our knowledge becomes like a tape-recorder. We must utilize our own potential..."

* Valedictory address at South Asian Conference on Education, Central Institute of Education, New Delhi, November 18th 1999.

From the Secretary's desk
"Ever since I joined the Central Tibetan Administration (CTA) as a centrally appointed staff on October 15th 1968, I had the privilege of serving our community in different capacities, viz. as an agricultural advisor, representative of the CTA in various Tibetan settlements, director of Tibetan Institute of Performing Arts, secretary of DOE, the representative of H.H. the Dalai Lama, New Delhi and lately as secretary, in the home department. I am now glad to be back as Education Secretary.

This department has the gigantic task of nurturing the future seeds of Tibet, which will depend largely on the quality of education we can impart to our present and future generation. It is indeed with the blessing of His Holiness along with the assistance of various governments, and organizations, the many friends of Tibet and the dedicated work of the staff at the department and in all the schools and institutions that have made possible whatever has been achieved so far. I wish to thank every body for the same. At the same time, I take this opportunity to request all the concerned to continue their valuable support in our present mission.

Lastly, I extend my greetings for a Merry Christmas and a happy new millennium to the children and supporters.
Tashi delek !"

New DOE secretary appointed
Mr. Tsering Wangyal took over as the new Secretary of this department on October 25th 1999. He replaces Mr. Ngodup Tsering who had served for four fruitful years during which the department's activities increased manifold with many new educational programs initiated and successfully implemented. He is now the Secretary of Department of Home, CTA. We wish him well. Incidentally, Mr. Tsering Wangyal was a former Education Secretary.

DOE Official attends International Education Conference
Mr. Tashi Norbu Rikha, Joint Secretary/Head of Academic Research and Planning, DOE attended the Fourth International Education Conference on Education for Global Responsibility: A Mandate for the Third Millenium, held at the University of Cincinnati, Ohio, USA from October 6th through 10th 1999. Mr. Rikha presented a paper titled Education in Exile: A brief report on the education of Tibetan refugee children in India, Nepal and Bhutan, along with a video presentation.

During the conference, a separate workshop session was organized to solicit the expertise of the international education community vis a vis critical problem areas on education in exile to help facilitate future national education policy considerations.

Tibetan students from Berea College, Kentucky, performed a traditional folk song and dance items for the delegates during the international cultural evening. The five-day conference was attended by delegates from UNESCO and educationists from several countries. (picture on page 2)

Phayul magazine
Phayul magazine is now a monthly issue effective from October 1999. The redesigned A3 format in color was renamed as 'Phayul Shejai-Bangzod'. A special function commemorating the release of the new format of the magazine was held on October 11th at the Library of Tibetan Works and Archives, Dharamsala. Dignitaries including the vice-chairman of the ATPD, editors and reporters within the Tibetan community were invited.

Head of the publication section addressed the gathering on the aims and objectives of the magazine. He hoped that it would help the younger generation in recognizing the rich cultural and religious heritage of the Tibetans as well as promoting future writers and authors.

Inspections
Minister (Kalon) Rinchen K. Choegyal accompanied senior most Kalon Mr. Sonam Topgyal for the inaugural function of SOS Children's Village at Rajpur under Tibetan Homes Foundation held on October 4th 1999. Mr. Kutin, President of the SOS Kinderdorf International, Vienna was the chief guest for the function. Both the Kalons also visited the Tibetan schools at Dehradun and Mussoorie and met with teachers and students. Mrs. Nangsa Choedon, Additional Secretary, also accompanied the dignitaries.

Mrs. Nangsa Choedon of DOE and M.K. Rao, Secretary of Central Tibetan Schools Administration, New Delhi, visited CST Mundgod from Oct 16-21st 1999 and also attended the South Zone School Heads conference at Mundgod.

Mr. Tsering Phuntsok, Education officer visited the Tibetan Settlement at Mainpat in Central India from September 4th through 7th 1999. He undertook a thorough inspection of the four pre-primary sections and the school itself to assess the education standard of the school. The education officer also visited the Tibetan Day School at Majnu -Ka-Tilla, Delhi on September 9th 1999 and participated in the morning assembly as well as conducted classroom inspections.

Our Internal Auditor, Mr. Tenzin Yeshi had conducted the auditing of CST Dalhousie, Mussoorie, Darjeeling, Kalimpong and Tibetan schools at Dekyiling, Shillong, Gangtok, Kurseong and Pokhriabong from August through November 1999.

Seminars
Mr. Karma Monlam, Head of publication section attended a seminar on 'Alexander Csoma De Koros and the Exploration of Buddhism' at India International Center, New Delhi, from November 11th through 12th 1999. The seminar was organized by the Hungarian Cultural Center in co-operation with the Ministry of Culture, Youth affairs and Sports; University Grants Commission; Central Institute of Higher Tibetan Studies, Sarnath, and the Asiatic Society, Calcutta. Several dignitaries from various fields attended the seminar including the Indian Minister for Culture, Youth and Sports.

A special Tibetan Math's textbook, (for grades IV and V only) Review Committee meeting was held at the department from October 18th through 21st 1999. Mr. Tashi Dhondhup, Deputy Secretary, oversaw the review of the textbooks, which was attended by eleven Math's teachers from various Central School for Tibetans (CST) and other institutes.

DOE Official attends South Asian Conference
At the invitation of the University of Delhi, Mr. Tashi N. Rikha attended the South Asian Conference on Education held at the Central Institute of Education, New Delhi from November 14th through 18th 1999.

The five-day conference on Education in the South Asian Context: Issues and Challenges, was attended by several delegates from South Asian countries.

Mr. Rikha presented a paper on the current status of Tibetan education in exile. Professor Amartya Sen, 1998 Nobel laureate for Economics gave the inaugural address and His Holiness the Dalai Lama, 1989 Nobel Peace laureate gave the keynote valedictory address to the conference delegates. In his inaugural keynote address, Prof. Sen spoke on the urgent need for governments in the region to remove prevailing inequalities in education and for greater priority to be given for education in resource allocation. His Holiness in his address emphasized the need to impart the kind of education which will help in the development of the inner self as it will help in ensuring peace, tranquility and religious brotherhood. His Holiness also planted a tree sapling at the institute.

Self Employment Training program for unemployed Tibetans
The department is presently funding 4 boys and 2 girls (unemployed youth) on a special training project at Auroville, Tamil Nadu. The courses include food processing, printing and binding, low cost housing and fashion and clothing skills.

The duration of the training is two months initially while further extension will be made after reviewing their performance and progress. These youngsters who were selected from various Tibetan settlements will hopefully benefit from the special training and on completion will be able to organize such training at their local level as well as open their own business.

Mr. Kalsang Tsewang, Career Counselor has been regularly monitoring the progress of the training .

Tibetan students secure Medical College Admission on Merit
Mr. Tenzin Phandey (with 80 % grade XII results) who sat in the open Combined Entrance Test-Medicine (CET) administered by the Karnataka State this year and Miss. Tenzin Khando (with 84 % grade XII results) who sat in the same test administered by the Maharashtra State last year are pursuing their study in medicine from Tumkur college and NDMVP's Samaj Medical College, Nasik, respectively.

These students have secured their seats in these colleges on their own individual merit, which is laudable, and the department congratulates them. The department must also impress upon all its readers including the students that it also awards scholarships to students who are able to secure admission in medical colleges on their own merit while fulfilling certain norms and conditions. This is other than the reserve seats in medicine that are awarded by the department each year.

Berea College selection test
The annual selection test cum interview for candidates to undertake undergraduate study at Berea College, Kentucky, USA, was conducted at the Bureau of His Holiness the Dalai lama, New Delhi, from October 8th through 12th 1999. Of the 67 applicants, the following two candidates; Ven. Tenzin Nyima and Miss Tenzin Wangmo were selected. Two reserve candidates; Mr. Lhundhup Dorjee and Mr. Tenzin Pao Dashi were also selected.

Saint Andrew University Scholarship
Selection tests and interviews for a special undergraduate scholarship program at St. Andrew University, Scotland, for one candidate funded by Mr. Hugh Richardson and coordinated by Mr. John Billington of the United Kingdom was administered by this department at the Bureau of H.H. the Dalai lama, New Delhi from December 4th through 7th 1999.

There were a total of 13 applicants for the above program. In fall 1996, the same program had made it possible to send one student to the same university.

Students exchange program
Twelve high school Tibetan students (grade X) will visit Yemin Orde Children's Village School, Israel in the spring (April) of year 2000 under the exchange program on invitation from Dr. Chaim Perry, President of Yemin Orde. Mr. Michael Ginguild, Project coordinator of Israel friends of Tibet is also associated with the project. Six students were selected from the various Tibetan schools after a written test and interviews conducted at the department on November 20th 1999 while six of the remaining students were selected by TCV among its students.

The primary objective of the project is to expose the Tibetan children to the rich and multi-cultural society of exiles who returned to the newly formed state of Israel through the decades as well as to the technological advancements made by Israel. The program will include special field trips, educational and computer training. 1. Rinchen (CST Shimla) 2. Tenzin Choedon (Songtsen School, Nepal) 3. Ngawang Loser (THF Mussoorie) 4. Lobsang Tenzin (CST Paonta Sahib) 5. Dawa Dorjee (CST Mussoorie) and 6. Dawa Phuntsok (Namgyal School , Nepal) were the selected candidates from non-TCV schools.

Tibetan students participate in International Sports Meet
A 19-member team including two teachers from CST Paonta participated in the Salwan International Athletic Meet, which was conducted by Salwan Education Trust on October 12th 1999 at Jawahar Lal Nehru Stadium, New Delhi. A large contingent from over India and 9 countries participated in the event. Mr. Tsultrim Namgyal of class XII bagged a gold medal in 100 meters sprint and a bronze medal in the 400 meters race. The students had a wonderful opportunity to present our rich cultural heritage in the cultural event, which was also telecast in the national television. The students returned to their school with numerous prizes and trophies.

Tibetan Textbook Review Committee meeting
The department arranged a High Level Tibetan Textbook Review Committee meeting at Central Institute of Higher Tibetan Studies, Sarnath, from November 1st through 8th 1999. The committee discussed and finalized the drafts of Tibetan language textbooks for pre-primary stages as well as grades I and II. The reviewed textbooks will be available from the year 2000 academic session. Mr. Karma Monlam represented the department in this meeting.

Annual sports day celebration briefs
Central School for Tibetans at Manali and Gangkyi Day School at Dharamsala have held Annual Sports Day on October 8th and October 31st 1999, respectively. The then education secretary Mr. Ngodup Tsering was the guest of honor at CST Manali. The Tibetan Welfare Officer of Dharamsala was the chief guest at the Gangkyi School.

Tibet Our Country Week organization at Paonta School
CST Paonta Sahib organized the annual 'Tibet Our Country Week' from September 2nd through 7th 1999. The event was an attempt to familiarize the children with the Tibetan identity and its rich cultural heritage. Various activities were conducted including; quiz competition, general knowledge tests, painting competition, and exhibition of various publications and special cultural presentations.

Special Tibetan language program at Chandigarh
The department has appointed Mr. Passang as an instructor in Tibetan lanaguage program for college going Tibetan students at Chandigarh in northern India w.e.f. September 6th this year. Currently, 35 students are attending the program. This was initiated keeping in view the department's objective of promoting Tibetan language study at post school level.

Computer Education for Manali School teachers
The teachers at Central School for Tibetans (CST) Manali were given an introductory and familiarization course in computer education from November 5th through 12th 1999. This is in keeping with the department's long term objective of streamlining computer education from the lower grades onwards in all Tibetan school within a few years. Sambhota Tibetan Schools Administration administered the program. Expertise was provided by Tibetan Computer Resource Center, Dharamsala.

School Feature:Namgyal Higher Senior Secondary School
Founded in the year 1988 as a middle level school, it has today grown by leaps and bounds. As the requirement of a high school imparting Tibetan education in Nepal was felt, the generous assistance of the Department of Education, CTA of His Holiness the Dalai Lama, for purchase of new land and the SOS Kinderdorf International for funding the construction of the new complex helped realize this dream to a certain extent.

In 1993, the Department of Education, CTA, deputed Mr. Wangdu Phuntsok as its new Director. The school was upgraded to senior secondary level in April 1995. The school today offers Commerce and Humanities study for grades XI and XII. Others opting for Science join Central School for Tibetans in Mussoorie, India.

Today, the school imparts quality Tibetan education that helps the successful preservation of the rich cultural heritage of the Tibetan community in Nepal. All its teachers in this school will be trained teachers by this year-end, fulfilling a target set by this department. The academic achievements of the school have been good to excellent over the years. In fact, the 3rd batch of grade XII students achieved an excellent result of 93 %. Several of its class XII graduates are pursuing higher college education in reputed colleges and universities across the subcontinent and beyond. In this context, the department awards a special scholarship package to 25 deserving students each year from the school for higher college and vocational education.

Today, the school stands on the threshold of the new millennium readying itself for higher glory and achievements. The present enrolment of 390 students along with the 25 teachers, 24 administrative & other staff members are more than ever ready to take the school to that level.