By Tsering Dhundup.
DHARAMSHALA May 19: Ten Tibetan students will receive the prestigious Gaden Phodrang Award for academic excellence after results of the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) schools for 10th and 12th standard board examinations were released last week.
A total number of 1055 students from 12th standard spread in 13 Tibetan schools under three different autonomous bodies (TCV, THF, and STSS) appeared for the exam, out of which 1038 cleared the exam. The overall percentage this year is 98.39, which increased nominally by 1.39 percent compared to last year, and the average percentage is 73.31. 13 students from 8 schools were placed under the compartment category having failed in some subjects and 4 students from 3 schools is placed in the essential repeat category. One TCV school and three STSS schools have produced 100 % results.
In the 10th standard exam, a total number of 1114 students from 23 Tibetan schools appeared the exam out of which 1067 passed the exam with a pass percentage of 95.78 which has increased nominally by 1.76 per cent from last year with a pass percentage of 94.02. A decline in the quality of results is observed with an average percentage of 61.74. 47 students from 14 schools were placed under the compartment category having failed in some subjects. Four TCV schools and five STSS schools have produced 100 % results.
Tenzin Kalsang a student of commerce, class 12 from TCV Bylakupee have secured the most marks from all the Tibetan schools in exile this year with 96.4 per cent.
Five students who have secured above 95% in Class XII will receive the Excellence Award of the Department of Education, CTA. The award includes a merit certificate and a laptop for the recipients. The recipients of the excellence awards are Tenzin Kalsang, TCV Bylakupee (96.4%), Tenzin Zomkey, Upper TCV (96%), Tenzin Yarphel, Upper TCV (96%), Tenzin Dickyi, THF Mussoorie (95.4%) and Nyima Tsamchoe, Upper TCV (95.2%).
10 students will receive the Gaden Phodrang Award, which is awarded to the top meritorious Tibetan students of class XII who demonstrate excellence in Science, Arts and Commerce streams.
Tibetan schools in exile, particularly in the Indian subcontinent (India and Nepal) have been facing a sharp decline in the enrolment of Tibetan students in the schools. According to the 16th Kashag’s report, the Tibetan student population in India and Nepal has drastically declined from 20,140 in 2012 to 9,552 in 2021. Observers say that the decline can be attributed to the declining number of children arriving from Tibet, out-migration from India and Nepal to Western countries, and low birth rate. The current birth rate in Tibetan communities in India and Nepal is estimated to be around 500 every year.
