Dharamshala, India: - The political leader of the Central Tibetan Administration (Kalon Tripa), Dr Lobsang Sangay Wednesady, 16th November presided over a meeting of heads of major Tibetan schools and education department officials to discuss how to strengthen administration, bring innovation and improve academic standards in the schools.
In accordance with the present situation, the day-long meeting discussed a three-point agenda - (1) Review of schools' administration to bring improvement and innovation (2) Review of teaching methodology and curricula to improve basic education standard, quality and result (3) Review of teachers' qualification, their welfare and nurturing to bring further improvement and changes.
Kalon Tripa reiterated that education for Tibetans remains his administration's number one priority and said efforts would be made to generate professionals in the Tibetan community.
Dr Lobsang Sangay recounted his meeting with His Holiness the Dalai Lama during which the latter told him of his impression of Tibetan children's lack of confidence and openness as compared to other children. "After his visit to a school in northeastern India, His Holiness was impressed with children's openness and confidence in asking and answering questions. On the contrary, he felt sad that these qualities are lacking in Tibetan students," Dr Sangay said.
"To find new ways to overcome these problems and bring changes, I convened a meeting of school principles in New Delhi earlier this year. I found out that many of the principles are taking responsibility to work out new methods to make further improvement. But this does not happen in every school due to lack of co-ordination among them," Kalon Tripa said.
"So, the school principles said the Delhi meeting is very helpful and they need such meetings in the future. We have, therefore, planned a meeting of Tibetan school principles, including those from CTSA schools, in April next year," he added.
Kalon Tripa expressed hope for a open deliberation during the ongoing meeting and a new way forward.
He said the recommendations from both the school principles and directors would be collected in written form, which would act as a guideline for our schools. If necessary, we would invite scholars to get their opinion and expertise, he added.
Recounting how education helped him to stand on his own feet, Dr Lobsang Sangay said education is of paramount importance for both short-and long-term benefit for an individual, family and society.
Education Secretary Ven Yuthok Karma Gelek and other concerned officials attended the meeting.
