A one-day seminar on the theme “Educating the Educator” was chaired by His Eminence Prof. Samdhong Rinpoche on May 13 at Lamdon School, Leh. The talk was organised by Socially Engaged Buddhist of Ladakh (SEBoL).

His Eminence Prof. Samdhong Rinpoche said that ‘educating the educators’ is one of an important matter in today’s education system.

Talking about the limitations of today’s education system, Rinpoche stressed the importance of examining and understanding things before acceptance, which is very dangerous. To accept and to know are entirely different. The first and foremost thing is to understand analyse and accept it.

Speaking about the present education system, we have to develop the ability to face the challenges like war, violence, environmental degradation, global warming, emerging of new epidemic diseases. Therefore, we must think that education is the remedy to these challenges that are threatening the basic survival of the earth and living creatures.

Talking about how to to strengthen education system, Prof.  Samdong Rinpoche said that there are three direct stakeholders namely teaching community, parents and students’ community. These three stakeholders should work in cooperation, not in competition. 

Therefore, we have to make skilful methods to bring the change by coordinating with the teacher, parent and students together in the system of education or learning.

Otsal Wangdus, President SEBoL said that it is an honour not just for SEBoL but also for the entire Ladakh for an opportunity to learn and inspire from one of the utmost educationists, visionary thinkers of 21st century Prof. Samdhong Rinpoche.

Introducing SEBoL to the audience, he said that SEBoL is a very small organisation comprising of five members and focus on three areas that are Spirituality, Alternative Education and Sustainability.

Reflecting on the education system in Ladakh he further said that it is true that education system in Ladakh has undergone substantial change over the years in terms of the opening of more and more schools, up gradation of school infrastructure etc. However, there is an uneasy feeling among the concerned citizens of Ladakh who is witnessing growth in everything in Ladakh except education.

Talking about the reality of education system he said, “We are taught that if people do well in school they will do well in life too. But in reality there’s always a contradiction between what we are taught in school and what we experience in real life. Students are more concerned about grade, passing the examination, memorising facts, getting a degree, finishing syllabus, rather than learning, understanding the concepts deeply, cultivation of creativity, curiosity and innovation.