Additional Secretary Tenzin Pema from the Department of Education, Central Tibetan Administration, visited Namchod Kyetsel Tibetan Language School—a weekend Tibetan language and cultural school affiliated with the Tibetan Association of Northern California (TANC). The school is recognised as having the largest enrolment among Tibetan weekend schools on the West Coast of the United States.

Additional Secretary Tenzin Pema is currently in the U.S. to attend a conference on SEE Learning at Emory University as the SEE Learning Programme Facilitator at the Department of Education. According to Principal Tenzin Dhonyoe, the school learned of her visit to California following her official engagements. Although her arrival coincided with the school’s weekend break and she was unable to observe classes in session, a teachers’ meeting was scheduled during that time. Taking the opportunity, she made a special visit to meet with the teachers and engage in discussions.

During the meeting, Additional Secretary Tenzin Pema provided a brief overview of the key responsibilities of the Education Council under the Department of Education. She underscored the importance of weekend schools’ teacher participation and feedback in the Department’s ongoing reviews of textbooks from the preliminary level up to Class 8—which are specifically designed for weekend schools abroad. She also reminded the teachers about the availability of advanced teaching materials now accessible on the Department’s official website.

She further shared her insights on the significance of introducing SEE Learning education in Tibetan schools that would be of tremendous benefit to both personal and public.

Principal Tenzin Dhonyoe remarked that, while the meeting was brief, it offered a valuable platform for the exchange of insights and experiences between Additional Secretary Tenzin Pema and the teaching staff of Namchod Kyetsel School.

Following her engagements in California, Additional Secretary Tenzin Pema visited the Tibetan Language and Cultural School of the Atlanta Tibetan Association, where she interacted with teachers and parents, engaging in meaningful discussions.

-Report filed by Office of Tibet, Washington DC