Sujatha Vidyalaya
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Sujatha Vidyalaya is a girls' school in Matara, Sri Lanka. The Matara Buddhist Society founded the school as a private Buddhist institution in 1929.[1] It was the first Buddhist girls' school in Matara. Today, the Government of Sri Lanka operates Sujatha Vidyalaya as a national school; it was one of the initial group of schools to receive this designation.
In the beginning, Sujatha Vidyalaya was a small school. In the seventy years since its inception, it has become one of the leading girls' schools in the south of the country.
History
There was a large population of Buddhists in Matara at the beginning of the 20th century. The Matara Buddhist Society took the main role in providing English medium education. Vilmot P. Wijethunga, co-secretary of the society, advocated for the establishment of an English education institute. Dr. V. D. Gunarathna, president of the Matara Buddhist Society, the led movement for a school.[2]
On Poya day in May 1929, the school was inaugurated with Gunarathna as its director. Sujatha Vidyalaya was the first Buddhist girls' school in Matara.[3] The school opened with four teachers who were all Buddhists. Mrs. A. E. Mathives came from India to be the school's principal.[3]
Doreen Young, who was later to marry Communist leader S. A. Wickremasinghe, became the school's principal in 1930.[3] She was responsible for young women from Buddhist Theosophical schools joining the anti-imperialist and socialist movements.[4]
After the death of Gunarwardana, the school experienced some instability, especially as the Matara Buddhist Society was disrupted during World War II.[3] C. A. Ariyarathna became the school's principal and personally paid the teacher's salaries.[3]
The members of the Matara Buddhist Society who took the main role in continuing the school include:
- E. T. Gunawardana
- W. P. Vijethunga
- M. D. T. Kulathilaka
- D. N. J. Weerasooriya
- T. F. D. Abegunawardhana
- C. A. Ariyarathna
- W. P. A. Wickramasinghe
- Jorge Weerathunga
- A. Dayarathna
In 1958, Sujatha Vidyalaya became a government school.[3]
Campus
Originally, the school was located on land owned by Gunarathna that was formerly part of a coconut plantation, at the junctions bordered by the Hakmana Road leading to Veragampita.[3] The secondary school included an office, three upper school classrooms, a small hall, a hostel for the senior girls, and a hostel for the juniors.[3] There were two semi-permanent structures used for the primary section.[3] These buildings had cement floors, walls made from planks, and roofs thatched with cadjan.[3] There was no water on tap, so a broad was created in the back for washing purposes.[3]
In 1936, land and an existing house in Gabadaweediya were converted into a new school facility.[3]
Student population
When Sujatha Vidyalaya opened with 36 students; all were Buddhists.[3] In addition to its female students, the school admitted boys under the age of ten years old.[3] The girls wore a white uniform with a blue and gold tie pinned at the collar and white shoes.[3] The boys wore navy blue shorts, white shirts, and white shoes.[3]
By 1936, the student population had increased beyond the capacity of its buildings.[3] Once the campus increased in size, the student population steadily increased from class to class. As of 2023, the school has some 5,000 students.[3]
Faculty
The faculty includes 188 teachers.[3] There are also 35 non-academic staff.[3] Hemanthimala Wanigasinghe is the current principal of Sujatha Vidyalaya, replacing W. A. Nandawathi in 2010.[3]
Past principals include:[3]
| Name | Dates | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mrs. A. E. Mathives | 1929–1930 |
| 2 | Doreen Young | 1930–1932 |
| 3 | Mrs. C. Amirthalingam | 1932–193x ? |
| 4 | Mrs. Comalan Crain | 193x ?–1937 |
| 5 | Mrs. F. D.Lovel Hestings | 1937–1938 |
| 6 | Mrs. M. M. Perera | 1938–1942 |
| 7 | Mrs. R. Balasooriya | 1942–1968 |
| 8 | Mrs. L. Wedahitha | 1965–1975 |
| 9 | Mrs. Windser | 1976 |
| 10 | Mrs. D. P. T. Dharmasiri | 1977–1989 |
| 11 | Mrs. M. I. Weerathunga | 1989–1993 |
| 12 | Mrs. R. N. Amarasinha | 1994–2000 |
| 13 | Mrs. D. Bambarawana | 2000–2002 |
| 14 | Mrs. C. H. Pinidiya | 2000–2005 |
| 15 | Mrs. W. A. Nandawathi | 2008–2010 |
| 16 | Hemanthimala Wanigasingha | 2010–present (as of 2023) |
Academics
Originally, the school day was conducted in two sessions, with a lunch break of 45 minutes.[3] Lessons were taught in English, using textbooks were imported from England.[3] Reading and Thinking was the reader used in the primary section.[3] In addition to the standard curriculum, students learned the Sinhala language, music, dancing, and drama.[3] Almost every term ending was marked by a concert presented by the students.[3]
In 1945, Sujatha Vidyalaya joined all schools in Sri Lanka in teaching lessons in vernacular languages.[3] Today, the school is divided into primary and secondary sections. Sujatha Vidyalaya Primary serves students from grades 1 to 5, while Sujatha Vidyalaya Secondary accommodates students from grades 6 to 13.
Student activities
Students participate in national and international chess competitions.[5][6] They also compete in the Brain Busters quiz program.[7] Student athletes compete in netball, badminton, and track.[8][9][10][11]
Affiliated institutions
Sujatha Dhamma School
Sujatha Dhamma School was started in 1995 by principal Mrs. R. Gunawikcrema.[3] It has around 400 students and fourteen teachers [3] Godawela Pamarathana Thera is the school's principal.[3]
Sujatha Primary
Sujatha Primary is located in Welegoda.[3] It was established in 1991 where the former Sudarshana Model School was.[3] It includes grades 1 to grade 5 and about 1,500 students with 42 teachers.[3] Samarasinghe is the school's principal.[3]
Notable alumni
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See also
References
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- ↑ Douglas Allen, Religion and political conflict in South Asia: India, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka, Greenwood Publishing Group, 1992; Template:ISBN, 9780313273094
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External links
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