By Tenzin Lekhden
DHARAMSHALA, March 16: With the growing presence of data-driven technology and digital tools, pervading every aspect of our life, the importance of computer education and coding has become no less than what mathematics, physics, and engineering was to the second industrial revolution. Despite its growing necessity and relevance, Tibetan schools have failed to tailor their curriculum to the drastically changing job market and have been conservative in their adoption of new teaching methods that make learning fun.
India’s National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, introduced in the summer of that year, has mandated coding as an optional subject from class 6 onwards in recognition of its growing importance and overall impact on children’s intellectual development. But the same recognition is absent from CTA’s Sherig (Educational) department. In conversation with a Sherig officer, they acknowledged the non-existent of any new program or policy catering to the growing importance of computer education and coding. The only proper coding lesson is limited to students who stream for science after class 10.
Tenzin Chemi, who is currently studying for his masters in computer science and application, told Phayul that “in Tibetan schools, the basics of computer science is taught only in class 11 and 12. But that too is only available to students who choose science; and within the students who opt for science, only a group of students can pursue the particular subject by taking it as an extra subject alongside the main subjects.”
He further voiced his opinion on the importance of integration of coding and basic computer skills saying, “there’s a noticeable gap in knowledge compared to Indian students. I find out that they have been studying certain programming language from much younger classes which we only learn the basics of in class 11 and 12.”
Coding at an early stage, or pre-coding has been shown to have a positive impact on children’s intellectual capacity. Coding requires one to arrange commands or directions to solve a particular problem or sets of problems, which can be done in various ways. This puzzle like nature of coding needs children to think critically and creatively, which is a necessary skill for any other task. National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC), an organisation that promotes high-quality early education for children, on the importance of early coding wrote, “early coding offers children experience that integrate communication, thinking, and problem solving. These are 21st century skills that are valuable for children’s future success in our digital world.”
MP of Tibetan parliament in Exile Lobsang Sither, who is the Cyber Security expert and one of Wired UK’s 32 Innovators Who are Building a Better Future, “Integration of computer classes which includes programming/coding at an early age is important for the overall educational growth of a child and should be adopted in Tibetan Schools. There are several models to follow such as the various Code Camps for kids run globally or even taking a look at the educational programming learning system set up at TCV day school in McLeod Ganj.”
He also highlighted the importance of creating and maintaining an inclusive environment for everyone involved in the integration of technology and educational tools. He said, “however, it should be noted that the integration should involve everyone in the process namely the parents, teachers, students and the technology as equal stakeholders as for overall development of a child, each stakeholder plays an important part.”
But an important and large group of students often feel left out as an “equal stakeholder”. Female students often feel that computer education and technology are for the boys and the ones who do take up computer science have to navigate a male dominated area of interest which can often feel overwhelming.
Contrary to the positive trend in India’s computer education, which reflects an egalitarian field in terms of gender equality, Chemi Dolkar, studying for a masters degree computer science, on the gender equality in computer science and education in general in Tibetan schools, said, “the ratio of interest amongst boys and girls still has a big gap. Back, when I was in school, there were only four girls that took computer science as a subject, compared to 27 boys.”
But this gap is not self-inflicted, it is the result of years of sedimentation of stereotypes and geek culture prominent in computer science. Chemi Dolkar on the gender disparity, told Phayul, “I think the main reason Tibetan girls don’t take an interest in computer science is because of the lack of inspiration. My female friends have a preconceived idea that learning computer science is hard and are meant for boys.”
Another reason is the lack of resources. Back in my days, I didn’t know there were faculty members in Tibetan schools who had expertise in computer science. Although the lack of resources doesn’t justify the lack of girls’ involvement in computer science, it is one of the factors.”
For everyone to be an equal stake holder, it is not enough to provide the necessary infrastructure but to create an encouraging environment for an individual to succeed. Amartya Sen, an economist and Nobel laureate, has devised a theoretical approach known as the capability approach, which has been used in various philosophies of education. The method is an approach to human welfare that concentrates on the actual capability of persons to achieve their well-being rather than on their mere right or freedom to do so. Capability, in Sen’s context, includes the opportunity, both economic and social, to do and be things that they choose.
“Access to the internet/technology is a must, however it is also important to understand that access alone is not enough. It is about having tools, resources, and support which will allow students to maximize the effective utilization of internet/technology,” Mr. Sither told Phayul.
Sherig’s lack of a new policy surrounding computer education and technology is not just a gamble on the quality of education Tibetan children are subjected to but could possibly act as a barricade to social mobility. The worst of which will exacerbate the already existing gender and class disparity in computer science. It is high time that we upgrade the software.
5 Responses
All the Subjects are equally important. However in the Computer Education World- Ethical Hacking, Machine Learning, Programming Courses are the 3 key aspects that needs to be updated in our Tibetan Schools. These are my humble thoughts. From a humble Tibetan IT Student. Om Mani Padme Hum.
Can v afford premium salary for the said post? Let’s say under special consideration premium salary be provided but then what about other subject teachers, are they less important than computer science?
So, I think awareness building and career counseling is the key, leave the rest to kids and their parents. Our schools have facilities to support interested kids, back in 2005 I noticed friend of mine learning coding at class X from books and internet. Bill gates and Steve job were his inspiration.
As a Tibetan, we have to include Computer Science and Ethical Cyber Security Courses in our Tibetan Schools. So we could increase our Technological Understanding and updates in the Information Technology World and be on the same Level as the rest of the World. BHOD GYALO.
Computer science itself is very vast in nature with spectrum of learning scopes namely -Programming , database , networking , AI, data-mining.ethical hacking etc. Every field have its own certification at industry level. That said covering all is evidently impossible under single curriculum session but yes we can at least lay out a foundation by introducing basic concept on all during their early academic tenure which will give our younger generation a fair idea what is needed at greater industry level. These, i personally feel would give greater perspective to our younger folks.We should not be confining our younger generation just with teacher , doctor engineer, nurse as career. Predominantly important but not the end. Our younger folks should be introduced to all kind of skills that would cater their career and give them greater options to choose from going forward. I am glad this gap is tabled and further discussion is going on. Looking forward for channelized implementation at ground level rather than on paper.
The lack of computer skills and particularly programming skills in our Tibetan community is clear. It’s true that the problem stems from the lack of awareness around such topics in our schools and the authority’s rigidity towards adopting new ways of educating. Back in my days programming was introduced to only class 11 and 12 science students and that too was an optional subject, which tacitly undermines its potential.
Programming or coding, not only improves a student’s problem-solving skills, more importantly, it makes the student a problem solver by nature. Which I think is an exigency in this day and age.