DHARAMSHALA: Mr. Ngodup Tsering, Kalon for the Department of Education, Central Tibetan Administration visited a series of Tibetan schools in north-eastern India including CST Ravangla, former Thumi Sambhota School Gangtok, STSS Pokhriabong, CST Darjeeling and CST Sonada.
During his visit to the schools, he inspected the teaching and learning activities in the classes, visited the school libraries, science labs and hostels.
Kalon addressed the students and the teachers in all the five schools and emphasised the importance of education, preservation of Tibetan language, upholding ethical values and good health.
“An international research agency has revealed that there were over tens of thousands of languages in the world before. Now there were only about eight hundred left. Languages are becoming extinct faster than ever. The chief reason for such changes is neglect, apathy and an onslaught of external influences. Therefore, I urge you to preserve our Tibetan language through innovative activities”, Kalon said, calling for the need to preserve Tibetan language and the distinct Tibetan culture from annihilation.
He also called upon the non-governmental organizations in the area to initiate activities to boost Tibetan language proficiency and its preservation.
Education Kalon expressed his special appreciation of the Indian teachers who have been teaching Tibetan students for years on and produced many great leaders such as the Sikyong, the Speaker and the Chief Justice Commissioner of CTA. “It is because of your contribution that we are now able to stand on our own feet”, he said.
He also spoke on the significance and implementation of Basic Education Policy (BEP) for Tibetans in Exile and various programs of DoE like Teacher Professional Development (TPD) and Early Grade Reading (EGR) to improve reading skill of early grade students. He has expressed about the gratitude of His Holiness the Dalai Lama to Tibetan people and 2014 is being celebrated as the year of His Holiness the Dalai Lama.
Informal meetings and open discussions with the staff members of the schools were also held on the issues relating to education of the students, administration of the schools and welfare measures of the staff members.
He also visited ITBCI School Kalimpong, Tibetan old people’s home Kalimpong, the Tibetan Settlement Offices, Tibetan Refugees Self-Help Centre in Darjeeling and Tibetan Co-operative Society in Sonada.
Throughout his visit to these schools and settlements, the honourable Kalon was greeted with hearty welcome by all the concerned leaders and people.
