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
A short report on my recent visit to TCV Bylakuppe as a part of my annual Teacher Professional Development (TPD) on-site school visit and follow-up. My stay was from 15th March to 27th March. TCV Bylakuppe was having the hottest time of the year and as such having their Summer Time Table, when classes were held early and likewise released early with afternoon, literally free. Class X and XII students are in the middle of their CBSE examinations, eyes buried in their books with concerned teachers visiting their respective dorms and hostels to encourage them and guide them. There were Inter-Class Basketball, Football and Kho Kho tournaments on one side and a remedial Tibetan class for the Primary teachers as a part of Language Across Curriculum (LAC). A monthly religious and Ethics talk coincided with my visit there.The talk was just half an hour in the afternoon followed by Q&A on Kindness, one of the ten competencies of secular ethics. Mr. Dawa Dhoundup la, shared his SEL workshop which he had attended at Drepung Loseling, Mundgod with both Junior and senior section teachers.
As a part of BEP, this year English is being introduced in class IV for the first time after three years. Every where there is fear and anxiety of how our children and teachers will cope. This isn’t a case any more and nothing much to worry. The English teachers are taking extra responsibility and doing their best. Here in this school, there are 2 class IVs. TCV English mentor Mrs. Tenzin Pelmo la is here and in touch with the English teachers every day. A lot of progress is going in these two classes whether it is classroom print rich culture or teaching or students’ willingness.
TPD which is the on-going teacher’s self directed professional development implemented in all the Tibetan schools in exile, is being carried out effectively under the leadership of the school heads and the concerned department heads. In the previous year, apart from the Lesson study, Peer Observations, Book Discussion, some of these dedicated teachers have prepared teaching materials and pooled resources. Teachers had also participated in submitting their articles for the TCV Sheyon magazine. With kind initiative from the school heads, they entire teaching fraternity had successfully watched the movie “Freedom Writers” to motivate and re energize one another. Another one is coming too this year. Enveloping and seeing dedicated people around always bring positive vibes and this I felt it there.
This year as per the minutes of the Education Development Committee (EDC)meeting, a common TPD period/timetable was created during which teachers work on their respective collaborative programs and activities. During my stay there, I met each and every department member and chairpersons. I also visited the Montessori class and the teachers. They shared their plans and activities for this academic session. I wish them all the best.I am also overjoyed to see the projects and the financial supports from the TCV Bylakuppe Alumni. Their contributions are making a big difference in the lives of so many young children here. I personally want to thank them and hope this support continues as a gesture of moral support for the staff members who are working so hard.
As per the request from the senior headmaster, I gave half an hour motivational talk to the senior students in the school hall after evening prayer. Like other teachers, I enlightened them about the untapped power they all have and how this power remained embedded because of the false beliefs; I enlightened them about the Subconscious mind, Meta learning. Last but not the least I told them about the importance of respecting teachers and feeling the sacrifices of their parents.PPT:
Apart from the hordes of responsibilities each school Principal have, taking care of the professional development of the teachers under his/her jurisdiction comes in the highest order. This year, TCV Gopalpur principal has organized an intensive refresher’s course on Lesson Planning and CBSE Life Skill Programs and the same was later given to TCV Himachal schools. The resource person Mrs. Vijayan Kartha, MA, M.ED having a career span of 30+ in the field of Education and Development is a sought after speaker in the local and national forums on Education and social change. She is also a winner of National Award for Teachers in 2007 and many more awards in the list.
(Excepts from tcvsuja.wordpress.com) In her first session, she talked about the importance of the role of a teacher in molding a child’s life. Quoting few incidents and narratives from her own years of teaching, she filled the atmosphere with waves of inspiration. 
In her second session, she discussed in detail the importance of a Lesson Plan in teaching and presented few slides on it. The session entailed few hands on activities for the participant teachers in creating lesson plan for a topic. She made all teachers to sit in a group that teach same subjects together. And then gave on activities to each group to discuss and make a lesson plan on a chosen topic from their textbook and later presented it to everyone in the workshop. After each presentation from the groups, she gave her professional feedback. The morning session thus culminated with the completion of workshop on Lesson Planning. In the afternoon session, Mrs. Kartha took a session on ‘Life skill’ classes taken in school.
The very purpose of giving life skill education to student is to prepare our children to all adversities or challenges of life positively. The biggest problems of our youngsters these days are the failure to cope with their emotional challenges. So, Life skill classes in all schools are made mandatory. Mrs. Kartha took the session by talking on the ten life skills as put out by WHO. She talked on importance of each skills by giving out factual data and sharing many more narratives from her personal experiences. She also emphasized on taking life skill classes by referring to the ‘Life Skill book’ CBSE. In the evening session, the teachers participated in group activities where each group chose one of the life skills topic and planned and presented their topic to the whole group. Taking a role play of a classroom scenario, each group delivered their topics very efficiently. Meanwhile, Mrs. Kartha gave her comments after each presentation. At the end of the session, Mrs. Kartha repeatedly spoke on the importance of a role of a teacher in child’s life and requested everyone to grow within.
She visited all the Himachal TCV schools within a short time span and conducted this important intensive workshop for the teachers. Each school Principal and the teachers gave a hearty welcome wherever she visited and the workshop went a great success in all the schools. Finally, she was given a loving farewell by the Principal of TCV Gopalpur Gen Phuntsok Tashi la with a traditional white Tibetan scarf.
Mr. Cheme la talk on “ Continuous Teacher Professional Development” was attended by all the Upper TCV school teachers, Principals, Headmasters and Department heads from Himachal TCV schools and as such there was a huge attendance. The Education Director, Mr. Sonam Sichoe la welcomed the resource person and the attendees and gave a brief introduction of Mr. Tenzin Cheme la.
This hour long presentation by Mr. Tenzin Cheme la very effective for all the teachers and school leaders especially at a time when the schools re-opens after the long winter holiday. There was a strong message and motivation for the teachers. The take away from this presentation was- the importance of teacher’s continous professional development so that they can make their teaching more effective and achieve their respective goals. He also told the teachers to work smart, not work hard and produce the desired result without missing the rich culture and language.
