Basic Education Policy for Tibetans in Exile

(English Translation from Tibetan)

 

CHAPTER I: INTRODUCTION

1. Article 17 (2) of the Charter of Tibetans in Exile, under Directive Principles states:
“Towards enhancing the imparting of education, an ideal education policy meeting
the real basic needs of Tibet shall be formulated.” As no such policy has yet been
formulated, it is felt that the time is ripe to review the current situation of education
of Tibetans in exile and to resolve upon a basic education policy that is better suited
to the current needs of the Tibetans in exile and that may serve as a basis for the
education policy of Tibet in future when a self-governing status is attained for the
whole of the three Cholkhas1 of Tibet.

 

CHAPTER II: THE MEANING OF EDUCATION

2.1 Education is to be recognised as a human quality that enables understanding of
external objects and phenomena, and that leads to the awakening, maturing and
completion of the potential of the inner consciousness.
2.2 Education is not to be recognised as merely grasping what is heard from others.
Instead, it is to be recognised as realisation of what is heard through the power of
self-confirmation and actualisation of what is realised through persistent
contemplation. It is, thus, a process of learning through hearing from others, selfinvestigation
and persistent contemplation.
2.3 Education is to be recognised as a unique inner quality in which the
discriminative wisdom and mind-pacifying techniques are conjoined into close
partnership.
2.4 Education is to be recognised as a key inner technology that transforms social and
personal actions into wholesome deeds.