Dharamshala: On this Children’s Day, Education Kalon Tharlam Dolma Changra issued a message to Tibetan students emphasising the importance of developing the habit of supplementary reading, maintaining good health throughout their educational journey, and, crucially, preserving the Tibetan language in the face of the PRC’s policies that seek to sever younger generations from their unique identity.
The Kalon’s message notes that “in recent years, the Chinese government has forcefully enrolled a large number of Tibetan children into state-run boarding schools, where the curriculum is taught exclusively in Chinese and lessons on Tibetan religion, culture, language, and customs are denied, with the aim of eradicating Tibetan identity.” To ensure the continued survival of that identity, the Kalon called for unwavering commitment from all Tibetans in exile—especially the youth—to preserve and promote Tibetan linguistic and cultural heritage.
The message further stresses that children need holistic development in both their personal and academic lives. She highlights the value of cultivating a habit of reading, engaging in self-directed learning, and maintaining both mental and physical health. This, she underscores, can be achieved by avoiding unhealthy foods and, for mental well-being, by continually listening to and incorporating the noble guidance of His Holiness the Dalai Lama into daily life.
Recognising the pivotal role parents play in shaping their children’s upbringing, the Education Kalon also urges parents to embody the values and behaviours they wish their children to emulate.
The Kalon also calls on Tibetans of all ages to remember His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s lifelong benevolent contributions and tireless efforts in providing hope and opportunities for every Tibetan in exile.
Access the full message in Tibetan below.
Kalon-Message-on-Childrens-Day