Dharamshala: Kalon Tharlam Dolma Changra from the Department of Education, Central Tibetan Administration (CTA), attended the Inter-school Literary and Cultural Meet-2023 at Tibetan Children’s Village (TCV) school in Gopalpur as chief guest, along with Directors and Principals of the participating schools on 6 October 2023.

The inaugural event began with opening remarks from the host school’s Director Kalsang Phuntsok, followed by an address from the chief guest.

In her keynote speech, the Education Kalon (minister) stressed awakening the student’s “discriminative faculty of mind to be able to distinguish right from wrong”, and putting “others before self” as the cornerstone of CTA’s Basic Education Policy for Tibetans in Exile, together with preservation and promotion of Tibet’s unique cultural heritages. She, therefore, implored the students in gathering to put efforts into studying and excelling in the Tibetan language given China’s ongoing sinicisation of Tibetan children through its state-run colonial-style boarding schools that have recently drawn massive international attention.

In addition, the Kalon advised students to put aside their competitive mentality over the course of the two-day event in order to learn as much as possible from each other.

A vote of thanks was delivered by Karma Sherap Tharchin, the Principal of TCV Gopalpur School, before concluding the opening ceremony.

The inter-school contest organised by the Department of Education was funded by Global Affairs Canada through Alinea International. This two-day competition is participated by students from eight Tibetan schools based in Northern India, namely TCV Upper, TCV Gopalpur, TCV Ladakh, TCV Chauntra, TCV Suja, Sambhota Tibetan School (STS) Petoen, STS Shimla, and STS Dolanji.

Kalon Tharlam Dolma Changra, Department of Education, addressing the gathering. Photo / Tenzin Jigme Taydeh / CTA

A glimpse of inter-school english debate. Photo / Tenzin Jigme Taydeh / CTA

Director Kalsang Phuntsok, Tibetan Children’s Village School Gopalpur, delivering the opening remarks. Photo / Tenzin Jigme Taydeh / CTA

The heads of participating school during the opening ceremony of two-day Inter-school literary and Cultural Meet (North Zone). Photo / Tenzin Jigme Taydeh / CTA