Dharamshala: As part of the Department of Education’s ongoing school inspection programme, Education Kalon Urgen Tenzin and Education Secretary Karma Choeying, conducted official visits to the Tibetan Children’s Village (TCV) School Upper and TCV Gopalpur on 31 August and 1 September, respectively.
Upon arrival, the Kalon and Secretary were accorded a warm welcome by the schools’ directors, principals, headmasters, staff members, and students.
During the inspection, the Education Kalon visited various academic and administrative facilities, including classrooms, staff rooms, the Mathematics Laboratory, Tibetan Language Laboratory, computer classes, language rooms, libraries, administrative offices, and student hostels. The visit provided an opportunity to assess the overall educational environment and institutional functioning of the schools.
Following the inspection, the Education Kalon addressed the staff and students in the school assembly hall.
In his address, Education Kalon Urgen Tenzin highlighted the significance of the Basic Education Policy (BEP), describing it as the cornerstone of the Tibetan education system. He noted that the policy seeks to provide holistic education by harmonising traditional Tibetan values with modern educational practices. Recalling its historical development, he explained that the policy was formulated through extensive consultations and was formally adopted by the Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile in September 2004 during the tenure of then Kalon Tripa, Professor Ven. Samdhong Rinpoche.
The Education Kalon further stressed the importance of maintaining good health and personal hygiene. Encouraging students to adopt healthy lifestyles, he advised them to choose nutritious food and fresh fruits over junk food, noting that many health-related issues stem from unhealthy dietary habits. He urged students to take greater responsibility for their physical well-being and overall development.
The Education Kalon underscored the importance of preserving Tibetan language, culture, and identity in exile while upholding human values and ethical conduct. He urged students to respect their teachers and school staff, nurture a sense of responsibility towards society, and engage in their studies with diligence, critical thinking, and a long-term commitment to serving the Tibetan community.
Emphasising the value of cultivating a habit of reading and lifelong learning, Kalon encouraged students to make effective use of the educational facilities and resources available at their schools, particularly the Tibetan Language Laboratory and libraries, to expand their knowledge, enrich their learning experience, and enhance their proficiency in the Tibetan language.
Kalon also addressed the recently enacted PRC Law on Promoting Ethnic Unity and Progress, describing it as a misleading measure presented under the guise of promoting national unity. He stated that, in reality, the policy seeks to accelerate the assimilation of Tibetans and other ethnic minorities into a state-defined national identity by weakening their distinct linguistic, cultural, and religious traditions. Referring to concerns raised by Tibetan communities, scholars, and international human rights organisations, he noted that the law places increased emphasis on Mandarin-language education and ideological conformity, thereby posing a serious challenge to the preservation of Tibetan identity and heritage. In this regard, he urged students to remain steadfast in safeguarding their language, culture, and values, and to recognise the vital role they play in ensuring the continuity of Tibetan identity for future generations.
Education Kalon Urgen Tenzin and Secretary Karma Choeying were accompanied during the visits by TCV School Directors, School Principals and Headmasters.
