A brief report on TPD programs carried out in TCV Schools –
April to June 2019
1) Introduction: Teacher’s Professional Development is one of the major areas where emphasis is given from the Education Director and the respective school heads. Accordingly, a varied programs are carried out in all the TCV schools. And on top of this, with the kind support and guidance from our generous sponsors, the Department of Education and the TCV Education office, the programs are going smoothly and the ownership is laid on the hands of the teachers.
TCV has been focussing on Instructional leadership and as such the school leaders are putting more effort this year in the professional deelopment of their teachers.
As per the recommendation from the recent Monitoring and Evaluation on TPD by SARD and Tibet Fund, the school heads has been advised to make the TPD programs teacher-oriented and should not be top down. TPD officer has been in touch with the teachers through whatsapp group and also meet the teachers department-wise for suggestions and guidance. The TPD officer also keeps in touch with the school heads in person and through mail.
Out of various programs related to TPD, here is a brief report of the programs and activities carried out from the month of April to June. The detail reports will be submitted in the end of September along with the bills.
Thank you so much donors for supporting this important program initiated by the Department of Education, CTA with the sole aim of improving the teaching and learning in our Tibetan schools.
2) Total number of beneficiaries: 493 Teachers
S.No. |
School Name |
Male |
Female |
Total |
1 |
Upper TCV Dharamsala |
20 |
46 |
66 |
2 |
Lower TCV Dharamsala |
23 |
14 |
37 |
3 |
TCV Day School Mcleod |
– |
8 |
8 |
4 |
TCV Chauntra |
22 |
24 |
46 |
5 |
TCV Gopalpur |
18 |
30 |
48 |
6 |
TCV Suja |
35 |
34 |
69 |
7 |
TCV Selakui |
9 |
15 |
24 |
8 |
TCV Day School Delhi |
1 |
8 |
9 |
9 |
TCV Bylakuppe |
28 |
31 |
59 |
10 |
TCV Ladakh & 5 branches |
95 |
32 |
127 |
3) Status Update of the TPD Programs:
All the TCV schools have their common TPD periods every week. The subject teachers meet and discuss during this period. They carry out different activities according to their need base. They follow the recommendations given in the TPD guidelines and from the TPD officer.
1) Lesson Study:One of the collaborative practices going on in some of the schools is Lesson Study. The subject teachers meet and do the Lesson study and submit the final lesson to the school head.
2) Book Discussion:Some of the groups have choosen Book Discussion as a part of their collaborative practice. They have chosen books on their own subject. They also share with other teachers.
3) Sharing Good Practices and Experience:One of the practices which many teachers find beneficial is Sharing session in the subject group during the common TPD period. The teachers share their experiences and the best practices. They discuss their problems and help one another.
4) Inviting resource persons and colleagues:
During their TPD periods, they invite their resourcce persons (local) and interact with them. They have been advised to make the best use of their school Counsellors and Riglam teachers so that they can share and discuss children’s behaviour and psychology.
Apart from these, different schools carry different programs as a part of their professional development throughout the year. There is regular Secular Ethics workshops and programs for all the subject teachers. There is 113 hours Riglam class for the teachers during summer time table. Apart from this, as a part of Learning Across Curriculum (LAC), there is a special Tibetan Improvement class for the Primary teachers.
Watching videos related to subject:The teachers in the group watch and share videos related to their subject of teaching during the TPD period.
Digitalization of Tibetan Lesson:The Tibetan teachers in some schools work on turning all the Tibetan lessons into PPTs. So, during the TPD period, they learn and relearn with the help of their computer teachers on making PPTs. There is also publication of children’s literature and translation of children’s literature into Tibetan.
The school leaders voluntarily arranges refresher’s courses for their teachers whenever convenient time occurs. Some of which are as follows:
- Refresher program on Lesson Plan and life skills teaching
- Induction program for teachers on Inclusive education
- Refresher’s course on Positive discipline
- Workshop Sharing with the teachers
4) Challenges and Lessons Learnt:
The challenges the teachers face in the school is the workload. Due to the advancement and development in the field of school education, so many programs which are meant for the teachers come and add to the workload of the teachers. And each one looks more important than the other.
It is learnt that less is more. It is important to focus on the ones which are most applicable in one’s own school. The school heads play an important role in making the TPD programs effective in the schools. So, it is learnt that the school heads should find time to visit them during TPD periods.
5) Success Stories:
Teachers have been given the full accountability to choose their own professional growth. They are happy with whatever little they are doing as a part of their collaborative professional development. They take accounatability of their own professional development and I find this one of the best success stories.
6) Future Activities:
Since the TPD programs are carried out throughout the academic session, these activites and programs will continue. There is annual TPD day in all the TCV schoolsthis day is normally the formal conclusion of TPD programs for a year.

Tenzin Dhargyal TPD Officer, TCV School