Gaden Shartse Thoesam Norling School

Gaden Shartse Thoesam Norling School, called Gashar School for short, was founded in 1970 at Lama Camp 1 in the Tibetan Colony of Mundgod, Karnataka, with just 22 students. Its roots go back to 1969, when monks of the Gaden Shartse community moved from Buxa to Mundgod at the wish of the Dalai Lama, and enrolled novice monks to carry the Buddhist teachings forward. In the first years the students learnt to read, write and recite the sutras. Then came wooden board and bamboo pen writing, spelling, grammar and poetry.

In 1975 the school set out a fuller curriculum, approved by senior Tibetan teachers. It covered dialectics, metaphysics, poetry, grammar, composition, history, religious history, calligraphy, art and drawing, with English, Mathematics and Science added so students received traditional and modern education together. Computers and Chinese were added in 2007, followed by science and social science. The school’s motto is “Come to Learn, Go to Serve,” and its tagline reads “Service to humanity is service to God.”

The Tibetan summary on the website says the school now has more than 600 students from class one to class ten. It also says many of its alumni went on to become teachers, monastery leaders and scholars. The English text does not state the board. The latest news items describe meetings with CBSE officials about school affiliation and an inspection, so affiliation seems to be in progress rather than complete. A State Recognition certificate is posted.

Parents and guardians can read the posted certificates, class and teacher timetables, transfer certificate format and admission form on the website. These include a land certificate, society registration, fire safety, building and water health certificates, and a no objection certificate. The school can be reached on +91 831 040 0775 or at gasharschool@gmail.com. The address is Lama Camp 1, Tibetan Colony, Mundgod, Karnataka 581411. Please confirm admission rules, since the school serves a monastic community.