DHARAMSHALA: (tibet.net) Sikyong Dr Lobsang Sangay, who is also the Kalon for Education, today graced the opening ceremony of Lower Tibetan Children Village’s (TCV) 29th founding anniversary, inspiring students to aim for and pursue excellence in studies.

Congratulating the school on its 29th founding anniversary, Sikyong reiterated that the 14th Kashag prioritises education as one of the most important component of its policies.

Sikyong encouraged the students to pursue academic excellence through hard work and good behaviour. “His Holiness the Dalai Lama, with the help of Indian government, established separate schools for Tibetan children so that we can retain our traditional Tibetan knowledge and at the same time, learn modern education,” he said.

Education will play a vital role for us in the Tibetan freedom struggle, Sikyong said, adding that a well-educated Tibetan community will help in creating more awareness about the issue of Tibet to the international community.

He also spoke about the importance of sports to maintain a healthy lifestyle.

Sikyong Dr Lobsang Sangay visited a science exhibition held by the students at the school. He praised the efforts made by the students and encouraged them to pursue their studies with passion and determination.

Dignitaries who attended the ceremony include Education Secretary Topgyal Tsering, Executive Director of TCV Tsewang Yeshi, and representatives from various Tibetan institutions and non-governmental organisations.

Lower Tibetan Children’s Village school located in lower Dharamsala was established in 1984. The school was inaugurated by His Holiness the Dalai Lama in 1992. The school currently has 620 students and 71 teaching and non-teaching staff.