Dharamsala: Department of Education initiated an innovative teacher professional development program at Tibetan Children’s Village School, Suja on August 16, 2013. The program is called as ‘teacher-led collaborative learning program’. The opening session of the new program was attended by Mr. Karma Sherab Tharchin, the principal of TCV School, Suja, and DoE Education Officers Mr. Gyaltsen and Mr. Kalsang Wangdu. Around 25 teachers of the school volunteered to take part in this program.

This teacher-led collaborative learning program is a dialogue and reflection on teaching-learning processes, based on a book by Dr. Kamala V. Mukunda titled “What did you ask at school today?” Dr. Mukunda is a member of the Tibetan Education Advisory Committee. The participating teachers are grouped into collaborative teams and are assigned various chapters of the book. Every weekend or during school holiday time, one team will lead a session of dialogue and reflection on their respective chapter. This program is expected go on for the months of August through October 2013. The individual teachers and their collaborative teams will also write reflection papers and other write-ups.

During the opening session, DoE Education Officers stressed the importance of the new paradigm in teacher professional development that promotes self-reflection, encourages a collaborative approach, and places greater responsibility on individual teachers for their own growth. The school principal promises to lend every possible support to teachers in their growth and development. The program is expected to replicate in other schools as well.