Dharamshala: The Department of Education of the Central Tibetan Administration held the inaugural ceremony of a leadership workshop for school prefects and captains of Tibetan schools at the College for Higher Tibetan Studies, Sarah, on 21 December 2023.
It was presided over by Sherig Kalon Tharlam Dolma Changra, Principal Passang Tsering of Sarah College for Higher Tibetan Studies; Tenzin Dorjee, Head of Academic Section, Department of Education (DoE); Dorjee Wangdue, Under Secretary, DoE; Tsering Yangkyi, Under Secretary, DoE; and teachers from Tibetan schools and students. Head of Academic Section Tenzin Dorjee delivered the welcome address, evolution, and aim of the leadership workshop.
Sherig Kalon spoke about the importance of holding such workshops, the necessity of the youth shouldering the responsibility of the future, and the transformation of Tibetan society under the guidance of His Holiness the Dalai Lama, especially reminding the gathering of the fortune of the Tibetan public receiving through his blessings the combined goals of modern and traditional education.
In addition, Sherig Kalon highlighted the need for such timely workshops and pointed out the fortune of the youth in receiving these resources. She stressed the importance of seizing the opportunity. Besides this, she explained the characteristics a leader should possess, their attitude, and how to carry out these initiatives, and provided them with relevant guidance. She further pointed out, in relation to the preservation of Tibetan language, that youngsters need to focus on Tibetan language and script and speak in clear Tibetan.
The Department of Education is organising the 14th Leadership Workshop from 21-27 December 2023. This year’s workshop has 16 schools based in India and Nepal participating, as well as 44 prefects and 16 counsellors. Sessions included topics on secular ethics, the middle-way approach of the Central Tibetan Administration, the importance and method of textbooks, scholarship, the importance of Tibetan language and culture, the aim of education, an introduction to CTA, cyber safety and security, and gender equality.