Light of Dharma - Jamgon Kongtrul IIIrd Memorial School 17

Light of Dharma

Page 17 Jamgon Kongtrul IIIrd Memorial School
A project of Paramita Charitable Trust of India

Jamgon Kongtrul IIIrd Memorial School
P.O. Topkhana, Kalimpong,
Distt. Darjeeling, West Bengal 734301, India
Phone: +91 3552 256197

The grounds and property for the school were donated by the Sadutshang family of the Third Jamgon Kongtrul Rinpoche in memory of his wish to provide education for needy children of the Himalayan region, as well as to impart the values of their culture and religion, which is mainly Buddhism.
Following the Government of India's educational curriculum, the School began in 1997 with a Lower Kindergarten (LKG) class. At the beginning of the new school year in March 2004, there are 8 classes ranging from LKG to Class 6. Each year, the School adds a new level and will continue to do so until Class 10 is reached. The size of each class is limited to 25 students in order to ensure that the children receive proper attention.
The children - boys and girls -- are from poor families including the lower castes. Annually the School reaches out to lower income families in the local community, encouraging parents and children to attend the selection programme, which is required prior to admission.

H.E. the 4th Jamgon Kongtrul Rinpoche at the school

It was the Third Jamgon Kongtrul Rinpoche's wish to provide free education for all the children at the School. However, the experience was that free education did not encourage parental commitment to the children's education. So, in 1999, the School began charging monthly tuition fees of Rs.50 per child and there was a marked improvement in attendance and performance. However, with the eradication of the "free school" concept, lesser of the very poor could be encouraged to participate in the annual selection programme for admission. This was against the aim of the School. Therefore, in March 2004, the School did away with monthly tuition fees. However, to bind the commitment of parents, they were now required to make the uniforms which were given free to the children before. In cases where the parents genuinely could not afford this, the School would subsidise the cost of the uniform but the parents are still required to pay up to a minimum of Rs.100/- for each set.
The children today continue to enjoy free text books and writing materials and the younger children from LKG class to Class 1 also enjoy a daily nutrition programme of milk and biscuits.

Jamgon Kongtrul IIIrd Memorial School

The School will continue to learn from its experiences and make necessary changes to preserve its aim of providing a good standard of education to poor and needy children.
During the historical visit of His Holiness the Dalai Lama to the School in November 2001, His Holiness spoke to the children and told them that they have the same precious human body as all other human beings and so they have the same potential as everyone. His Holiness advised them not to be discouraged about castes and to use the opportunity they have been given and not to waste time. They should put effort into their education to get out of the mould that society has thrust upon them. His Holiness also stressed on the importance of preserving their own culture, customs and language.

Continues

Activities To Benefit The Needy
Jamgon Kongtrul IIIrd Memorial Home
Jamgon Kongtrul IIIrd Memorial Health Care Centre
Treatable Blindness Programs
Jamgon Kongtrul Eye Centre
Community Projects

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