Journey of TCV Suja
Welcome to the journey through the history of TCV Suja, the pillar of strength and optimism, the cradle of intellectual growth and the home away from the home for thousands of children in exile. ‘Mayum Suja’ as the children call it, aptly stands out for all the unconditional love it has to offer for all its children.

Early Beginnings
Aftermath the Chinese occupation of Tibet and flight of Tibetans to exile, the fate of future generations of Tibet was at stake with urgent need for a structured society and thereby an establishment of a safe haven becoming the most sacred duty. And then, with the limited liberalization policy of China in the 1980s led to huge influx of illiterate young adults who needed urgent help in education as well as in eventual integration into the exile society. They sought not just shelter but the knowledge and skills to rebuild their lives. In response, the then Cabinet Secretariat of the Tibetan Administration (Kashag) established a small adult school at Bir Tibetan settlement in 1986. It was named the New Tibetan School which began with 68 eager young adults, striving to learn amidst very limited facilities and challenging circumstances. But as the number started increasing rapidly, accommodation became a huge crisis. Therefore in 1990, the school was eventually shifted to a small Indian village named Suja, just below the Bir Tibetan Settlement.

As and when the number of young adults steadily grew, the Kashag recognised the need for a trustworthy and competent institution capable of handling the challenge. They sought Tibetan Children’s Village to ensure the smooth running of the school. At the time of TCV’s takeover in 1991, there were already 322 young adults with more arriving each day. The responsibility was no small task; It presented a formidable challenge. Yet, TCV embraced it with greatest competence and experience. New policy guidelines were worked out with the aim of standardizing the education and opening other options and opportunities for further education and training. Despite the significant struggles involved in creating a unique school within the TCV system, the New Tibetan school Bir eventually came out as a great success, not only for TCV but for the entire Tibetan education system in exile. 

In the meantime, SOS Kinder Dorf International agreed to fund the establishment of a completely new SOS Village at Suja to shelter younger Tibetan children fleeing from Tibet. Even before the official opening, the village welcomed its first batch of 27 children from Tibet in 1993. The major part of the construction was completed in 1994. And then, as the facilities and infrastructures were established, children joining the school never seemed to stop. The institution initially operated in two divisions under partially different management: SOS TCV Suja for the younger students and TCV Suja for the older youths. However, in 1997, both divisions were merged under one administration.

To address the diverse needs, abilities, and interests of young adults, TCV Suja initiated vocational training programs in 2000, targeting students who faced academic challenges or planned to return to Tibet after their education. Three vocational sections, Tibetan traditional Thangka painting, Driving and tailoring, were introduced, with courses lasting three to four years. Additionally, a special “Language Class” was established for overaged students and those intending to return to Tibet, focusing on teaching Tibetan, English, Chinese, and Mathematics. Many graduates of these programs eventually returned to Tibet, with the school providing full support for their journey home. 

In the following years, political changes in Tibet led to a significant decline in the number of children coming from Tibet. Originally established to serve young Tibetans arriving from Tibet, the school faced new challenges, particularly after the 2008 uprising in China, which caused a steady decrease in young adults arriving from Tibet. In response, TCV Suja began admitting Tibetan children in exile as well as children from the Himalayan region, with whom we share a common religion and cultural traditions. Today, the school comprises a diverse mix of exiled Tibetan children, local Indian students, and children from various Himalayan communities It has grown and adapted to the evolving needs of its time, earning a distinguished reputation for educating Tibetan children in exile, a legacy known far and wide.

Educational Excellence
TCV Suja has continuously distinguished itself through outstanding academic achievements. From the early days of the annual Inter-TCV common exams for Classes V and VIII, which assessed the academic standards across various TCV schools, TCV Suja has set a remarkable benchmark. Known for their dedication and unwavering determination, the students of TCV Suja—both past and present—have continuously excelled.

Initially, TCV Suja offered classes only up to grade 8. To support those who wished to complete their secondary education, the school facilitated their enrolment in the National Open School Examination program, allowing them to continue their studies within the Indian educational framework. A total of 60 students from the first seven batches completed their secondary exams through the National Open School. Subsequent batches continued at Upper TCV from 1998 to 2001 and at Gopalpur TCV from 2002 to 2004.

And then in a significant milestone, the school got affiliated to the prestigious CBSE board, with its first batch of Class X graduating in 2005, followed by the inaugural Class XII batch in 2013. This affiliation marked a pivotal step in ensuring that our children receive the same educational opportunities as others, further reinforcing TCV Suja’s commitment to excellence. Over time, the school has earned a reputation for academic brilliance, even securing a spot among the top 20 boarding schools in Himachal Pradesh, with an AAA rating, from a survey of 1,200 schools conducted by Newsletter Career 360. 

The first batch of Class X graduated in March 2005, with 78 students achieving outstanding results, marking a significant milestone for TCV Suja. Since then, TCV Suja has continued its upward flight, consistently delivering excellence. The hard work and dedication of both students and teachers have been the key strengths and with this unwavering dedication paved the way for the school’s further expansion to include senior secondary classes. With the approval of affiliation from the CBSE board, the school introduced the senior secondary ‘Humanities Stream. The graduation of the first batch of Class XII in 2014 with incredible school result and individual’s bagging the prestigious ‘Sikyong scholarship’ further solidified the school’s reputation for academic excellence. TCV Suja has consistently led the way in embracing new curriculum changes introduced by the CBSE board. We are the first TCV School to incorporate ‘multi-skill subject’ as one of the subjects in the class X board exams, providing our students with broader opportunities to explore for their secondary education. In the year 2019, the school was also chosen by the CBSE board as one of its exam centres, a recognition of its outstanding facilities and exceptional academic performance. Since then, it has served as the exam centre for neighbouring CBSE schools. 

In 2022 , the higher secondary classes 11 and 12 at TCV Suja had to be discontinued due to a decline in the number of students across all TCV schools. This decision was also driven by the need to manage the financial burden of operating various branches under a single administrative unit. 

In addition to formal education, the school placed strong emphasis on preserving the Tibetan language, culture, and values; ensuring that students arriving from Tibet stayed connected to their heritage, while those born in exile maintained a bond with their ancestral roots. Programs such as ‘Tibet Our Country,’ inter-house Tibetan cultural competitions, Tibetan dialectic practices, and various classroom activities were all designed to reinforce ties to Tibet. In recent years, the integration of the SEE Learning program into the curriculum has further solidified our cultural identity. In a pioneering initiative, TCV Suja has distinguished itself as the first Tibetan school in exile to establish a unique reading club known as ‘RDL’ – Readers of Dalai Lama. This innovative program encourages students to immerse themselves in the writings of His Holiness the Dalai Lama, fostering a deeper understanding and propagation of his profound teachings on love, peace, and compassion. The success and impact of ‘RDL’ have not gone unnoticed. Recognizing its value in preserving and spreading Tibetan culture and values, numerous other Tibetan schools and exile communities have embraced this concept. They have adopted similar programs, aligning themselves with the original mission of ‘RDL’ as envisioned by TCV Suja. It serves as a testimony to the school’s commitment not only towards education but also to nurturing the spiritual and cultural heritage of the Tibetan people in exile.

Likewise, the community spirit is always very strong with students taking active participation in sports and community services, fostering a sense of belongingness and responsibility. School has various volunteer groups taking active part in various community services. School Environment group, takes care of the cleaning of school surroundings and managing recycling which educates them universal responsibility of saving the mother earth. Likewise, school’s animal care group fosters the love for the poor helpless creatures. Volunteering group engaging in visiting old age homes nearby and thus rendering services to the old people and thus fostering the bond. 

Similarly, the sense of community is always strong, with students actively participating in sports and community service, fostering a deep sense of belonging and responsibility. The school has several volunteer groups involved in various community initiatives. The School Environment Group, responsible for maintaining the cleanliness of the school surroundings and managing recycling efforts thus teaching students the universal responsibility of protecting the planet. Likewise, the Animal Care Group nurtures compassion for helpless animals. Another volunteering group regularly visits nearby old age homes, strengthening bonds with the elderlies through services.

TCV Suja (Present Day)
Today, TCV Suja stands as a blossoming institution, abode to hundreds of students who continue to receive a well-rounded education. The school stands firm to its original principles, raising not just the future citizens of Tibet but also a global citizen who would carry the message of oneness and share common humanity wherever they go. As we look towards the future, TCV Suja continues to evolve and adapt to the changing needs of time and situation while also holding strong to the values of compassion, perseverance, and unity that we have held since the start of our journey.
Presently, TCV Suja has 423 students; 198 boys and 224 girls studying in classes from Montessori to class X. These children are under the care of 82 nos. of our staff; 36 males and 46 females who provide and guide them in various capacities and roles. The school is so well equipped with diverse range of infrastructures and facilities designed to support both academic and extracurricular development. Besides the regular spacious classrooms, we have smart classrooms and audiovisual labs fitted with modern teaching aids such as smart boards, projectors and sound systems ensuring an engaging learning environment. Students have access to ICT rooms where each of them gets laptops and tablets to explore and enhance their learning skills. The science and computer labs, special rooms for each subjects allows students for better hands-on experiences. Multi-skill room is somethings only TCV Suja has among all other TCV schools, allowing students for practical experience in ‘Multi-skill’ subjects that they may opt for class IX and X. The school libraries have vast and diverse collection of books, providing resources for both resource and leisure reading. To nurture creativity, the school has dedicated art and music rooms. School has two multipurpose auditorium that facilitates school events, cultural programs and assemblies. Furthermore, the school cafeteria offers a calm peaceful avenue for children to refresh and relax. To ensure good health and well-being, school has well-maintained medical facilities that take cares of staff and students’ health. Besides academic facilities, school has a well-sized field for football, track events and three basketball grounds to encourage children to stay active physically. Overall, the diverse infrastructure and facilities provide a comprehensive environment for holistic education. 

Conclusion:
“As we reflect back on the remarkable journey we have made, we take deep pride in knowing that we are a living legacy, built on the dreams and aspirations of Tibetans in exile, nurtured by generations of dedicated educators, and enlivened by undying spirits of countless students who’ve walked through this school. From a meandering rivulet where it began to the vast ocean of our present achievements, each chapter of our story has added to the rich history of our school’s heritage. While the future may be uncertain, what remains constant is the indelible mark that TCV Suja has left on every life it has touched.

Thank you:
Before we part here, there are so many people we would like to thank without whom we would not have reached this far. Starting with our revered patron, His Holiness the XIV Dalai lama who is the very foundation of our existence. Ama Tsering Dolma la and Ama Jetsun Pema la who sowed the seed that has flourished into the magnificent tree we see today – a tree whose branches now encompass the numerous TCV Schools institutions. Their foresight and dedication have created a nurturing canopy under which countless lives have found shelter, education and opportunities.
The life force of any institution depends upon its financial supporters and our story is no different. We. Owe an immeasurable debt of gratitude our sponsors; both individuals and organisations who believed in us and supported us since our start. Your belief in our mission and your steadfast supports that kept flowing have been our guiding torch that inspired us to take a step ahead in the darkness. Your contributions are not just financial, you are our partners in our journey who shared our vision and help us shape the future of countless Tibetan children. We are profoundly grateful.
And of course, our deepest respect and gratitude goes to all the staff; present and past, who have given their best years of life to this school. Your dedication has been the keystone of our success. To those who have moved on and those who continue to serve, please know that your tireless efforts and selfless sacrifices have not been in vain. The seeds you’ve sown have bloomed into a heritage of education, empowerment and hope. Your impact resonates in the achievements of our alumni and is the very evidence of our success. Your impact is behind every success story of this school and its alumni. TCV Suja is eternally grateful. 

Last but not the least, this journey wouldn’t be the journey we share here today without the presence of all our children who have walked through our doors. You are the only source of inspiration that keep us living and give our work the real purpose and meaning. You are our ultimate hope and aspiration. ‘Sujans’ as we call ourselves, would not be of any meaning without you. We wish you good luck and happiness where ever you live.
And here comes to the end of the journey TCV Suja has made so far. Thank you for being the part of this extraordinary voyage. Here is to the enduring legacy of TCV Suja. May it continue to inspire, educate and transform lives for years to come.

Thank you.