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Sujatha Vidyalaya
Sujatha Vidyalaya is a girls' school in Matara, Sri Lanka. The Matara Buddhist Society founded the school as a private Buddhist institution in 1929.[2] 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. HistoryThere was a large population of Buddhists in Mataraa at the beginning of the 20th century. The Matara Buddhist Society took the main role in providing an English-style education which was in fashion at the time. 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.[3] 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.[4] The school opened with four teachers who were all Buddhists. Mrs. A. E. Mathives came from India to be the school's principal.[4] Doreen Young, who was later to marry Communist leader S. A. Wickremasinghe, became the school's principal in 1930.[4] She was responsible for young women from Buddhist Theosophical schools joining the anti-imperialist and socialist movements.[5] After the death of Gunarwardana, the school experienced some instability, especially as the Matara Buddhist Society was disrupted during World War II.[4] C. A. Ariyarathna became the school's principal and personally paid the teacher's salaries.[4] The members of the Matara Buddhist Society who took the main role in continuing the school include:
In 1958, Sujatha Vidyalaya became a government school.[4]
CampusOriginally, 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.[4] 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.[4] There were two semi-permanent structures used for the primary section.[4] These buildings had cement floors, walls made from planks, and roofs thatched with cadjan.[4] There was no water on tap, so a broad was created in the back for washing purposes.[4] In 1936, land and an existing house in Gabadaweediya were converted into a new school facility.[4] Student populationWhen Sujatha Vidyalaya opened with 36 students; all were Buddhists.[4] In addition to its female students, the school admitted boys under the age of ten years old.[4] The girls wore a white uniform with a blue and gold tie pinned at the collar and white shoes.[4] The boys wore navy blue shorts, white shirts, and white shoes.[4] By 1936, the student population had increased beyond the capacity of its buildings.[4] 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.[4] FacultyThe faculty includes 188 teachers.[4] There are also 35 non-academic staff.[4] Hemanthimala Wanigasinghe is the current principal of Sujatha Vidyalaya, replacing W. A. Nandawathi in 2010.[4] Past principals include:[4]
AcademicsOriginally, the school day was conducted in two sessions, with a lunch break of 45 minutes.[4] Lessons were taught in English, using textbooks were imported from England.[4] Reading and Thinking was the reader used in the primary section.[4] In addition to the standard curriculum, students learned the Sinhala language, music, dancing, and drama.[4] Almost every term ending was marked by a concert presented by the students.[4] In 1945, Sujatha Vidyalaya joined all schools in Sri Lanka in teaching lessons in vernacular languages.[4] 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 activitiesStudents participate in national and international chess competitions.[6][7] They also compete in the Brain Busters quiz program.[8] Students athelets compete in netball, badminton, and track.[9][10][11][12] Affiliated institutionsSujatha Dhamma SchoolSujatha Dhamma School was started in 1995 by principal Mrs. R. Gunawikcrema.[4] It has around 400 students and fourteen teachers [4] Godawela Pamarathana Thera is the school's principal.[4] Sujatha PrimarySujatha Primary is located in Welegoda.[4] It was established in 1991 where the former Sudarshana Model School was.[4] It includes grades 1 to grade 5 and about 1,500 students with 42 teachers.[4] Samarasinghe is the school's principal.[4] Notable alumni
See alsoReferences
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