Dharamshala: The Department of Education of the Central Tibetan Administration published and distributed the Tibetan language textbooks for Pre-Primary to Class 4 of Tibetan Language and Culture Schools in Western countries.

Over the last ten years, the Department of Education has consistently engaged in initiatives to preserve the Tibetan language and culture and enhance the educational standards in Tibetan language and cultural schools in Western countries. The department has undertaken reviewing and enhancing school textbooks, provided support in the editing and review processes, conducted workshops for Tibetan educators, and orchestrated a series of educational programs.

In 2018, the Department of Education conducted a comprehensive examination to assess the significance of the curriculum in Tibetan Language and Culture schools. This examination involved a thorough review of the conditions of Tibetan teachers and students and a detailed feedback gathering process from the schools. Based on this, the ‘Curriculum Framework for Tibetan Language and Cultural Schools’ for Pre-Primary to Middle School Level was proposed, ensuring that the needs and opinions of all stakeholders were taken into account.

During the inaugural conference of the Western Tibetan Language and Culture School organised by the Department of Education and the Office of Tibet, North America at New York on 2 August and 3 August 2019, the attendees collaboratively proposed and finalised a curriculum. The said curriculum served as the framework for the development of customised textbooks tailored to the specific academic requirements of the respective schools.

In response to varying perspectives on the proposed standard school curriculum, a comprehensive review and revision of textbooks commenced in 2021. Subsequently, in 2023-24, the finalised Tibetan language textbooks for Pre-Primary to Class 4 of Western Tibetan Language and Culture Schools were established. The Education department will allocate five free textbooks to each class. At the same time, individual schools must procure the textbooks directly from the (Sherig Parkhang) Publication house based on the students’ levels.

The textbooks for students in grades 5 to 7 of Tibetan language and cultural schools underwent drafting and revising this year. The funding and support from the DANIDA foundation for Editing and Publishing of the textbooks.