(Dharamshala | August 3, 2002)
Thupten Lugrig on 'Chinese Language In Tibetan Schools'
Dharamsala looked washed in yesterday's sudden burst of monsoon shower.
McLeod Ganj like a snail inching up a rock; precariously
perched on the mountain ridge, dizzy in the ubiquitous fog. In this
a vehicle went around McLeod Ganj with a huge speaker perched on its
head inviting people for a talk and discussion on the
'Chinese Language In Tibetan Schools' to be held in Gangkyi.
The fourth 'Heart-Of-The-Matter' organised by the Friends
of Tibet (INDIA) happened at a quieter place —
Gangkyi, in the Staff Mess Hall.
We couldn't risk a wash out by doing it at our usual venue —
the open ground at the Yongling School. Around 200
people had come from different corners of Dharamsala.
Unlike the gloomy atmosphere prevailing outside, the one in the
hall was a bright one with losts of laughter and clappings. Kalon for
Education and Religion Thupten Lugrig la led the discussion
with a half an hour talk. This was followed by a medley of questions
and answers which went on for two hours. In his talk, the Kalon
narrated history of Chinese language education in Tibetan schools
and presented the ongoing process.
Karma Yeshi moderates the discussion
How It Began?
It began way back in July 1992 as a part-time course in CST Dalhousie
after a discussion with Mr Dutta, the then Secretary of Central Tibetan
School Administration (CTSA). The programme received sanction by the
Indian Government. The salary of the teacher (Rs 1500) too was paid by
the school administration. However this programme didn't see many years
of practice, and in 1998 it had to be discontinued. The reasons were just
practical and has no political bearings whatsoever. The teacher had no
required degree to teach the language as per the CTSA rule.
Now What?
Later the Department of Education (DoE) proposed to offer this course in
DoE run schools, but only as an optional subject. Present scenario, DOE
has not been able to implement the programme due to various social,
situational and circumstantial problems. Even facilities too. The plan is
still there with DoE and we are working on the ways of implementing it.
Why Chinese Language?
Language is knowledge and knowledge of any language is an addition
to a person's education. We all believe and work towards the
Independence of Tibet and one day we all will be returning to Tibet,
but we will have to keep our relationship with the Chinese. So
even in the long run it will be useful. The Tibetans in Tibet,
whether they like it or not they have to learn the language, but
in exile there is no opportunity, DOE is offering that for the
Tibetan children. We see the Chinese as our enemy, but the
language in itself is not an enemy. In fact with the knowledge of
this language we will be able to know what they are saying without
a translator's help.
Will It Not Harm The Tibetan Culture?
In the past, so many years we have suffered gross neglect and
degradation of the Tibetan culture and language, but if we analyse
it, we will not come across one Tibetan who will say 'because
I learned Chinese.' It was all because of our own failure.
The society's attitude, parents' neglect and the individual's lack of
responsibilities. Over that we have fallen for many attractions
from all over the world.
Conclusion:
Kalon Thupten Lungrig la made great a impression not only
as the Kalon with ready answers for all the questions but also
with his easy manner with which he led the whole discussion with
humour and light satire. He dealt with the issue in a much larger
scale and made incisive comments on Tibetan education in exile. The
issues and concerns he raised during the discussion period regarding
complaints that our education level is falling, that our teachers are
not up to mark, he said that the government can't do much without
people's cooperation and support. The best of our teachers whether
graduated from college or monasteries run away abroad and we are
left no choice but to make do with what is left. The parents are
more concerned about making money than doing their bit for their
children's education, after saying 'bye-bye' to their
children, sending them to boarding schools, as if the nomads had
sent their cattle in the mountains for grazing.
Together, we can clear our exile community of these difficulties and
complaints, and prepare ourselves for making a future Tibet. The discussion
was one that of a heart-to-heart talk and sharing concerns.
This was one topic they always wanted to discuss
. . . . . . . . . . . . .
Discussion Theme:
Once again, the Tibetan Government-in-Exile in India has introduced
the Chinese language in Tibetan schools. Chinese language was first
introduced in Tibetan school in Dalhousie, Himachal Pradesh in
October 1992 and later discontinued. The 13th Assembly of Tibetan
People's Deputies (ATPD) passed a bill reintroducing Chinese as an
optional language in Tibetan schools which come under the Department
of Education (DoE). Result -- mixed reactions. For some it is a
strategy while others see it as a sign of appeasement. Some said
it was the wish of His Holiness the Dalai Lama while some feel that
such decisions have to go through a democratic process before being
implemented."
'Heart-Of-The-Matter'
was organised by the Friends of Tibet (INDIA)
in Dharamshala
on August 3, 2002.
|
