Dharamshala — The Tibetan Children's Village School (TCV) commemorated its 65th anniversary on October 23, 2025. Since its founding, over 50,000 students have graduated from TCV. Currently, TCV has 5,190 students in its seven boarding schools and four day schools, two vocational training centers, and the Dalai Lama Institute for Higher Education.
The 65th anniversary of founding held at the TCV Ground in Dharamsala on October 23, 2025. The guest of honor was Kyabje Ling Rinpoche. The ceremony was attended by officiating Sikyong Tharlam Dolma Changra, Parliamentarian Lopon Thupten Gyaltsen, representing the Standing Committee of the Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile, Chief Justice Commissioner Yeshi Wangmo, Shri Surender Kumar Katoch, Commissioner of the Dharamshala Municipal Corporation, Public Service Commissioner Karma Yeshi, Justice Commissioners Dawa Phunkyi and Phagpa Tsering, Auditor General Tashi Topgyal, along with Standing Committee members of the Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile and CTA Secretaries.
Hundreds of people, including guests, staff members, and students, gathered at the school for the celebration. Everyone stood and observed a minute of silence in memory and tribute to the martyrs who sacrificed their lives for the Tibetan nation and people, followed by the national anthems of Tibet and India, accompanied by musical instruments.
Sonam Sichoe, President of the Tibetan Children's Villages, addressed his introduced the school and said," With initiation and guidance of His Holiness the Dalai Lama, the TCV was founded on May 17, 1960, with the arrival of 51 children from the road construction camps in Jammu. Tsering Dolma, the elder sister of His Holiness the Dalai Lama, took primary responsibility for caring for these children. In 1964, Jutsun Pema, the younger sister of His Holiness the Dalai Lama, took over the management of the TCV until 2006, caring for the children as if they were her own for over 40 years."
"TCV is the largest organisation caring for Tibetan refugee children, orphans, and poor and disadvantaged Tibetan children. It raises them with love and care and provides them with Tibetan traditional and modern education. More than 50,000 students have graduated from TCV since its inception. It currently has seven boarding schools and four day schools, two vocational training centers, the Dalai Lama Institute for Higher Education. TCV currently have 5,190 students in the schools, and 985 students pursuing higher education. In total, TCV has 7,691 teachers, staff, and students presently enrolled in TCV schools," President Sonam Sichoe explained.
TCV President said, "In 2025, 416 TCV students took the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) 12th grade exam and 411 passed, representing a pass rate of 99.8%. Nine students scored above 90%, with the highest score being 95.8%. One student received the Sikyong Scholarship and six students received the Gaden Phodrang Award. 549 students took the CBSE 10th grade exam and 545 passed with pass rate of 99%. Twenty-one students scored above 90%, with the highest score being 98.8%."
Then officiating Sikyong Changra Tharlam Dolma addressed the gathering and she spoke of the TCV's enduring success and praised the dedication of many individuals, particularly His Holiness's elder sister, Tsering Dolma, and his younger sister, Jetsun Pema. The acting Sikyong emphasized the visionary leadership of His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama in establishing settlements, monasteries, and schools, which laid the foundation for the progress of Tibetans in exile. She also urged everyone to always remember His Holiness's kindness. She further recalled that this year is being celebrated as the Year of Compassion and encouraged everyone to show more kindness and compassion in their daily lives.
Lopon Thupten Gyaltsen, as the representative of the 17th Tibetan Parliament in Exile, delivered Tibetan Parliament’s message for the occasion and he said, "Education is not only a powerful tool for building and developing a country, but also for leading a meaningful life. In order to ensure that Tibetan children can grow up with a good education, the Tibetan Children's Village school and all other Tibetan children's villages have been provided with food, clothing, and a supportive environment. Students must not only study diligently, but also adopt good manners and participate in other daily school activities. The main reason we must create Tibetan schools in exile is to preserve and restore the Tibetan language, religion, and culture, and to fulfill the responsibilities of each person in exile."
The Chief Guest, His Eminence Ling Rinpoche expressed his deep gratitude to the TCV school and spoke about his own education there before he was recognized as the reincarnation of the previous Ling Rinpoche. Rinpoche also highlighted His Holiness the Dalai Lama's noble vision of establishing the school to preserve and promote the Tibetan language and culture. In addition, Rinpoche reminded everyone of their responsibility as Tibetans, especially as members of the exile community, to uphold and fulfill the aspirations articulated by His Holiness the Dalai Lama.
Then the students performed traditional Tibetan dances and songs. They also formed the words “Long Live His Holiness the Dalai Lama,” “Compassion,” and “Sign of Peace” on the TCV ground.
