TAWANG, Sep 17: A three-day workshop on Social, Emotional and Ethical (SEE) Learning was inaugurated at Thupten Shedrupling, Tawang, on Thursday, with Education Minister Pasang Dorjee Sona stressing the need to place values and emotional development alongside academic learning.
The workshop is being organised by the Department of Karmik and Adhyatmik Affairs (DoKAA) in collaboration with the Thupten Shedrupling Foundation, Tawang, for educators from Tawang and West Kameng districts.
Inaugurating the programme, Sona said education should not be limited to imparting academic knowledge, but should also help shape the values, attitudes and emotional well-being of children.
He informed that the State Council of Educational Research and Training (SCERT) had worked for nearly 18 months to develop a curriculum on moral values for students of Classes III to V, which has been introduced from the current academic session. He suggested that DoKAA experts work with SCERT to further strengthen the curriculum.
The Minister also emphasised the importance of compassion towards the environment and all forms of life. He said greater awareness of the consequences of human actions was necessary to promote responsible behaviour towards nature.
Delivering the keynote address on “Educating the Heart and Mind for Quality Education,” Geshe Lhakdor, Director of the Library of Tibetan Works and Archives, Dharamshala, and founder member of SEE Learning, highlighted the role of education in promoting peace, compassion and responsible thinking.
He said human beings have the ability to resolve differences through language and dialogue, and stressed that education should help develop not only knowledge and intelligence but also compassion and ethical awareness.
Lead Facilitator Reshma Piramal presented the SEE Learning framework and the State roadmap, outlining its objectives and approach for the participants.
DoKAA Director Thupten Kalden, in his welcome address, highlighted the relevance of SEE Learning in contemporary education and the need to create value-based learning environments.
The inaugural session was attended by Tawang MLA Namgey Tsering, ZPC Leki Gombu, DoKAA Secretary Karma Leki, Deputy Commissioner Namgyal Angmo, Superintendent of Police Tasi Darang, ZPMs Sonam Nordzin and Tenzin Monpa, DoKAA Vice Chairperson Sange Chhoedup, Ven Tengyur Rinpoche, Monpa Mimang Tsogpa president Er Phurpa Wangyal and secretary Sangey Phuntsok Nguimo, senior officers, and teachers from Tawang and West Kameng districts.
A souvenir booklet titled “Compassionate Classrooms” was also released during the inaugural programme.
The workshop will focus on equipping educators with practical approaches to nurture social, emotional and ethical competencies among students and foster compassionate, responsible and inclusive school environments.