Miao: Sikyong Penpa Tsering led the delegation of CTA have commenced the second-day engagements in Miao Choephelling by visiting the Sambhota School this morning.
In his address at the school, Sikyong reiterated the prioritisation of the population survey by the 16th Kashag for implementing political and socio-economic programs. According to Sikyong, this initiative is paramount to identifying the accurate number of Tibetan students enrolled in Tibetan schools, as the numbers have been dwindling since 2012, as per the assessment report of the 16th Kashag. It is reported that the number of Tibetan students in 2021 stands at 20128. The same number was reduced to 9700 in 2021 as per the data collected, indicating a reduction of around 10,000 students between 2012-2021.
Such a significant drop in the numbers was attributed to the decreasing influx of Tibetans arriving from Tibet, the Migration of Tibetans abroad, and the low fertility rate in the community. And considering the precarious situation of the schools under such circumstances, Sikyong noted the viability of merging the schools as a necessary step to improve the overall condition of the schools and to sustain the settlements simultaneously.
During his assessment visit to the school, Sikyong inaugurated the school’s new computer lab. Prior to the school visit, Sikyong visited the mini irrigation site, followed by an assessment visit to camp 5, where he interacted with the residents.
Before Sikyong departed for Tuting, he addressed the public of Miao reminding them of the sacrifices and the hard work braced by His Holiness the Dalai Lama and the older generation to rehabilitate Tibetans and establish Tibetan administration and democratic process to sustain the livelihood of the Tibetans, preserve the cultural identity and bolster the Tibetan cause. To strengthen the public awareness, Sikyong indepthly explained the democratic process of Tibetan government in exile including the roles and responsibilities of the three pillars of the Tibetan democracy.
In the evening, the Tibetan community in Miao hosted a cultural show and dinner reception in honour of Sikyong’s visit to the settlement.
Prior to his public address, Sikyong visited camps 1 to 4 and interacted with the residents. Following that, he visited the Tibetan farmers at the AEO Demo farm, nearby tea plantation, and areca nut planting. He also visited the site where a monastery and meditation centre was constructed for Tuting Khenpo. This land is donated by the CTA’s Department of Home. On the same day, Sikyong visited the settlement’s Pradhan Mantri Jal Jeevan site.