TAWANG, 17 Sep: Education Minister PD Sona said that education must go beyond academic knowledge and pay equal attention to the values, attitudes and emotional development of children.
The minister said this in his address after inaugurating a three-day workshop on Social, Emotional and Ethical (SEE) Learning at Thupten Shedrupling here on Thursday.
Highlighting initiatives of the Education Department, the minister informed that the SCERT worked for nearly one and a half years on developing a curriculum focusing on moral values for Class 3 to 5, which has been introduced from the current academic session.
He suggested that experts from the Department of Karmik and Adhyatmik Affairs (DoKAA) should collaborate with the SCERT to further enrich and fine-tune the curriculum.
Referring to the speech of Dharamshala-based Library of Tibetan Works and Archives (LTWA) director Geshe Lhakdor, who is also the founder member of SEE Learning, the minister stressed that compassion should not remain confined to fellow human beings but must also extend to the environment and all forms of life. He observed that reckless human actions which result in environmental degradation, disasters and destruction cannot simply be attributed to acts of nature when they are consequences of people's own actions.
Sona emphasised that SEE Learning can play an important role in nurturing compassionate hearts, responsible behaviour and greater sensitivity towards society and the environment among young learners.
In his keynote address on the theme 'Educating the Heart and Mind for Quality Education', Lhakdor underscored the transformative role of education in building a peaceful and compassionate society.
He observed that human beings possess the unique ability to communicate through language and dialogue and should therefore resolve differences and misunderstandings through meaningful communication. "Despite possessing intelligence, knowledge and advanced capabilities, humanity sometimes uses these very strengths in destructive ways," he said.
Lhakdor emphasised that education, when combined with compassion, ethical awareness and responsible thinking, can become a powerful instrument for bringing positive change in society.
Lead facilitator for the workshop, Reshma Piramal,presented an overview of the SEE Learning framework and the state roadmap, familiarising participants with its approach and objectives.
Earlier, DoKAA Director Thupten Kalden highlighted the growing relevance of SEE learning in the modern educational context.
A souvenir titled 'Compassionate Classrooms' was also released by the minister along with other dignitaries during the inaugural programme.
The workshop was organised by the DoKAA, in collaboration with the Thupten Shedrupling Foundation, Tawang.
Tawang MLA Namgey Tsering, ZPC Leki Gombu, DoKAA Secretary Karma Leki, DoKAA Vice Chairman Sange Chhoedup, DC Namgyal Angmo, SP Tasi Darang, Venerable Tengyur Rinpoche, Monpa Mimang Tsogpa (MMT) president Phurpa Wangyal, MMT secretary Sangey Phuntsok Nguimo, ZPMs Sonam Nordzin and Tenzin Monpa, and senior officers and teachers from Tawang and West Kameng districts attended the workshop. (DIPRO)
