Dharamshala: Sambhota Tibetan Schools Society(STSS) held its annual meeting of heads of schools from 28-29 November at the Reception Centre today. Secretary Jigme Namgyal of the Education Department presided as the chief guest along with Director Tsering Dhondup and Deputy Director Tsewang Norbu of STSS.

At the inaugural ceremony today, the chief guest Secretary Jigme Namgyal addressed the gathering in place of Kalon Tharlam Dolma who could not attend the meeting due to health reasons. In his address, he spoke about a wide range of issues from the evolution of Tibetan schools in exile under the visionary leadership of His Holiness the Dalai Lama to the requirement of present-day schools in regard to the teaching methodology, the basic education policy, and the concern of dwindling student numbers.

Hailing the visionary leadership of His Holiness the Dalai Lama, he said that Tibetan schools in exile are far better than those of other communities however he stressed the quality of education as the need of the moment that is not signified by marks alone.

He also recounted the evolution of Tibetan schools from the first school in exile facilitated by the Indian government to taking on the reins by the Department of Education in gradual phases marking the progress of exiled Tibetan schools.

Calling for an update in the teaching methodology, he emphasised the need for innovative approaches that are student-centric.

Director Tsering Dhondup introduced the annual meeting which he said was being held after two years due to the pandemic restrictions. He said the focus of the annual meeting was on the following five points- 1)Students’ education and teaching methodology improvement, 2)students’ health and ethics education, 3)basic education policy and Buddhist philosophy,  4)effective administration, and 5)facilitation.

Deputy Director Tsewang Norbu delivered the vote of thanks.

All the heads of schools except for two under the Sambhota Tibetan Schools Society participated during the annual meeting this time.