First batch of class 12 students graduate from Sherab Gatsel School
DHARAMSHALA: Sikyong Dr. Lobsang Sangay yesterday paid a visit to Sherab Gatsel Lobling also known as Tibetan Transit School near here to grace the first batch of class 12 students graduating from the school. The visit is also to fulfill a promise that the Sikyong has made during his last visit to a student who has requested him to visit the school on her graduation day.
Addressing the students who have gathered in the auditorium wearing their uniform white shirts, Sikyong Dr. Lobsang Sangay underlined the importance of hard work and dedication to achieve one’s goal in life. He also spoke about skills that one needs to cultivate to make a mark in the wider world.
“While you are here in this school, devote your time and energy to get the best of education and training from the staff. Life in the real world is tough and without a proper skill set and certificate, it’s extremely difficult to make your mark,” Sikyong said.
“Even if you go abroad or return to Tibet in the future, without a particular set of skills and a certificate to validate your education, it’s difficult to get a good job or make a proper living. We try to provide the best of education and training based on market conditions in this school, and it’s you who have to utilise these resources that we provide to make your dreams come true,” he added.
The first batch of students graduating class 12 from the school comprises of four students including one girl. The graduation of these students from contemporary school examinations were made possible after the education department of the Central Tibetan Administration, which manages the school, introduced a new program by restructuring the existing school curriculum in May 2013.
The new program ‘Orientation and Livelihood Based Skill Training’ was introduced in May 2013 to equip students with basic skills and provide suitable conditions to assist students in availing degrees in competitive board examinations. The program was also introduced with the aim of mitigating the scourge of unemployment among Tibetan youths particularly those from Tibet, as per the vision of the 14th Kashag to make the Tibetan community self-reliant.
The new program consisted of three major programs – Foundation, Vocational and Higher Learning. Foundation Program is basic literacy course having a duration of three years and is mandatory for all students. After successful completion of Foundation Program, students can opt for one of the courses either under Vocation or Higher Learning Program.
Duration depend on the types of the courses- for Food Craft it is 2 years, Thanka Painting 5 years, Tailoring 3 years, Computer software 3 years, Tibetan Studies (Higher learning) 4 years and Open Schooling leading to class 10 and 12th certificate is 5 years.
The school has also initiated new programs enabling former students who have discontinued to rejoin the school for the new programs. The education department has also announced 10 new scholarships for students of the school who are able to join colleges after clearing board examinations.
Sherab Gatsel Lobling or the Tibetan Transit School was established in 1993 under a special program of the Central Tibetan Administration to provide quality education to newly arrived Tibetans from Tibet especially youths aged between 18 and 30.
It is one of the most successful institutions for newly arrived Tibetans. Since its inception, over 6500 students have passed through the school. Alumni of the school include some of the most respected individuals in exile society including Secretaries in the Tibetan administration, editors of leading Tibetan media sites, academics, and artists.
The school was initially administered by the Tibetan Reception Centre, and was later handed over to the Department of Education, CTA in February 2002. Currently, it is managed by Sambhota School Administration, a registered organisation under the Education Department, based in Dharamshala.
CTA’s other programs for newly arrived Tibetans
Besides these programs provided through this school by the Central Tibetan Administration for newly arrived Tibetans, CTA has also announced various other measures and projects to facilitate easy transition of life in exile for Tibetans from Tibet.
The Department of Home of the Central Tibetan Administration has allotted a plot of land for newly arrived Tibetans from Tibet in Bir settlement located a few hours away from Dharamshala, Himachal Pradesh. Similar projects are also in the pipeline at Bylakuppe and Mundgod settlements in Karnataka state.
The Central Tibetan Administration has also been able to send former Tibetan political prisoners to Australia under a rehabilitation project with the Australian government. The remaining of the former political prisoners will also be sent in due time.
The Departments of Security and Health also provide monthly stipends and allowances to torture victims and old aged Tibetans to sustain a livelihood.
