Dharamshala: The Department of Education, Central Tibetan Administration, successfully concluded a 10-day workshop on Exercises of Practical Life (EPL) for Pre-Primary teachers on 30 December 2023. The workshop took place from 21 to 30 December at the House of Peace and Dialogue, Upper TCV, Dharamshala.

The workshop saw the participation of thirty-nine Pre-primary teachers: twenty-five from STSS, seven from TCV, six from THS, and one from TNMF. Diwo Lhamo Pemba, an AMI-certified trainer from Tara Montessori LLC, facilitated the workshop.

The inaugural program witnessed the presence of Education Secretary Jigmey Namgyal and Tenzin Chomphel, Headmaster of Upper TCV, along with the trainer and participants. In his introductory address, Secretary Jigmey Namgyal underscored the workshop’s significance, emphasising the crucial role of Pre-primary teachers in shaping children’s holistic development. He furthermore stressed the necessity of establishing a strong foundation for a child’s growth and development, incorporating the workshop’s learnings into school practices, and instilling a sense of responsibility for being Tibetan.

The first three days of the workshop focused on theoretical knowledge, followed by practical training sessions covering various topics such as Human Tendencies, development of movement, planes of development, absorbent mind, sensitive periods, practical life introduction in the prepared environment, care of the person, care of the environment, control and coordination of movement, grace and courtesy, discussion of practical life in the Tibetan community, and the language present in practical life.

Tenzin Dorjee, Head of Academic Section, DoE, presided over the closing session. Sally Connellan, the key donor based in Australia, also participated in the workshop via Google Meet. Tenzin Dorjee during the closing session expressed gratitude to Diwo Lhamo Pemba for her dedicated service in conducting the workshop, and Sally Connellan for generously funding the workshop and her willingness to contribute further to future DoE programs. He emphasised the crucial role of Pre-Primary teachers and the importance of integrating workshop lessons into classroom practices.

During the feedback session, participants shared key learnings and experiences from the EPL workshop, expressing their commitment to implementing these insights in their classrooms upon their return to their respective schools. They extended their gratitude to Diwo Lhamo Pemba for her dedication and facilitation during the workshop.

The workshop was generously funded by Sally Connellan.