Dharamshala: As per a resolution adopted by the Tibetan Education Council and Advisory Committee, Sonam Gyaltsen, Honorary Professor at Sarah College for Higher Tibetan Studies and a member of the Tibetan Education Council and Advisory Committee, successfully concluded a 17-day inspection tour of 11 Tibetan schools across South India from 13 to 29 July 2026.
The visit commenced on 13 and 14 July at Sambhota School, Kollegal, where he met with students and parents. On 15 and 16 July, he continued the tour at Sambhota School, Gurupura, meeting with students and parents. On 17 and 18 July, he visited the Tibetan Children’s Village School in Bylakuppe Lugsam Tibetan Settlement and held discussions with students, parents, and local families. On 19 July, he met with parents in Bylakuppe Lugsam Settlement.
The inspection continued with visits to Sambhota Day School, Arlikumari, on 20 July; Sambhota Day School, Gulledhalla, on 21 July; Sambhota Day School, Bylakuppe Dekyi Larsoe, on 22 July; Sambhota Higher Secondary School, Bylakuppe, on 23 July; and Sambhota Day School, Kelashapura, on 24 July. On 25 July, he met with parents in Bylakuppe Dekyi Larsoe Settlement.
The final leg of the tour covered Mundgod Tibetan Settlement, where he met with parents of the settlement’s three schools on 26 July. On 27 July, he visited Sambhota Higher Secondary School, Mundgod, followed by Sambhota Day School at Camp 6 on 28 July. The tour concluded on 29 July with visits to the Sambhota Lower Primary School and Kindergarten in Mundgod.
During the inspection tour, Sonam Gyaltsen assessed the implementation of the Basic Education Policy for Tibetans in Exile and secular ethics education programmes across the schools. He also reviewed the use of reading materials distributed by the Department of Education and evaluated the overall condition of school libraries, classrooms, science laboratories, dormitories, and dining facilities, as well as teachers’ instructional methods and students’ academic standards. Pre-primary schools were also inspected, and he met with teachers, students, and parents to provide guidance and recommendations.
The Department of Education stated, “The inspection tour was successfully completed with the support and cooperation of school administrations, principals, headmasters, and staff of the respective schools.”
The programme was fully funded by the DANIDA.
