By Phuntsok Yangchen
DHARAMSHALA, August 28: A two-day meeting of principals and senior teachers of schools that have implemented the much talked about Basic Education Policy concluded today here at Nyatri Hall in Gangchen Kyishong.
The meeting, organized by the Department of Education of Tibetan government in exile, was attended by 14 principals and senior teachers from schools including Mewoen Petoen School, Sambhota Tibetan schools, Tibetan Children’s village (Ladakh) and a school in Jangthang.
During the meeting, representatives from various schools were divided into two groups and reviewed schools’ report on Basic Education Policy, discussed shortcomings of the policy and explored its solutions, formulated a bi-lingual teaching method for students above class 6 and to enhance the overall administration and effectiveness of Tibetan schools.
A number of resolutions were passed during the meeting. The resolutions include minimum requirement of Bachelor and B.Ed degree for teachers of Montessori and primary schools, to change the status of teachers without the required degrees into substitute teachers, translation of animated children’s films into Tibetan language, teaching of class 6 social science in Tibetan in Mewoen Petoen school and Central School for Tibetans, Poanta from 2015 and same shall be implemented in Chauntra and Dekyiling Sambhota schools from 2016.
“The basic education policy serves the actual needs of the exile Tibetans in preserving the traditional Tibetan values and culture and may also serve as a basis for the education policy of future Tibet,” said Ngodup Tsering, Secretary of Department of Education.
“Education is a root of our generation and is one of the main weapons in our struggle, therefore we all here have a huge responsibility” and then called on representatives from various schools to continue their hard work,” said Ngodup.
Speaking to reporters, one of the teachers said, “It has been 10 years now since the implementation of Basic Education Policy. Most of the teachers teaching in these schools have received various workshops to understand the policy but one of the main problems we are facing now is from the parents. Therefore, it is important to create awareness among the parents, school wardens, and school administrators because they have a huge influence on overall growth of the children.”
Under the policy, all the subjects are taught in Tibetan language till class 3, English is taught only from class 4.
The Tibetan Parliament in exile approved and passed the policy in 2004 and Department of Education formulated the policy after reviewing the state of Tibetan education. Academician and the first directly elected Kalon Tripa of the Tibetan government in exile, Prof. Samdhong Rinpoche, first introduced the policy during his tenure but came under criticism from a section of Tibetan Diaspora who were of the view that the BEP will not work in an exile situation owing to the lack of facilities and the academic scenario currently prevalent in India.
The Tibetan Parliament in Exile, however, passed the bill proposed by Rinpoche, whose successor Lobsang Sangay too embraced the policy, towards which Sangay expressed his admiration and promise to implement, during his election campaign
