Lumbini Prefects

cademic, social, cultural, and personal goals. In this piece of writing my aim is to draw your attention over the historical events, which are reflected by the present situation of the school. In the year 1929, 79 years back, a small school was started by the Sri Lankan government under the British rule. It was given the name, “Havelock Town Junior Mix School”, considering its situation at a little town called Havelock town, which was situated at the heart of Colombo City. At the very beginning of the school, it was reported that there were only 114 students. Though the school was a mix school, only girls had attended. The first principal, Mr. Balasooriya, a well qualified principal, was provided with 3 teachers to run the school. Even without having proper physical resources to maintain the school, the principal and the three teachers took the responsibility of 114 junior level students. There had been just one building for the whole school. And it was not properly built with bricks and cement but with wooden planks. This cadjan – roofed building provided the space to nearly 100 students to do lots of activities in the school for many years. The rays of the sun had the glimpse through the big holes of the roof over the tiny kids, who were reading, writing and drawing by just sitting on the floor. Sometimes when the heavy wind took off the cadjans, which covered the roof, rain drops could easily come down on the slates and blackboards and wipe out all the things written and drawn on them. Though there were many difficulties and hardships, Havelock town junior school laid its foundation toward the success. Having situated in a wonderful and an ideal location, it gave the easy access to the children who lived in Colombo District in getting formal education. By that period, education was the privilege of the upper classes, and most of the children of the lower classes had no opportunity for formal learning. But this College did not close the gate for those who came from lower classes and never considered the background and wealth of a family in taking children to the school. Poor parents of the area were highly pleased with the conditions applied in the school and they send their kids to Havelock town junior school without any hesitation. And the school was considered as a Buddhist school. But it never rejected the students who belonged to the other religions, Hindus, Muslims and Catholics. This caused to build up unity among the citizens to some extent. Even today the school consists of the students who are belonged to many races and religions. Later in 1932 school started to take the attendance of the boys for the primary classes. In 1935, according to the reports there had been about 120 students in the school though three years had passed from its commencement. As the time passed, transfers, retirements and new appointments of the principals took place gradually. So far 19 principals had given their fabulous services for the betterment of the school. Though it was not remarkably noticed in the first few years, new students joined the school one by one. As a result of teacher training centers and institutions which were emerging in Sri Lanka, this particular school too was lucky enough to receive teachers under trained category. Most of them worked with enormous enthusiasm to devote their knowledge and experience to the improvement of the school. Teaching –learning process was highly observed and assessed by the white – skinned school inspectors in order to maintain quality of the education within the school. The school curriculum was not much complicated one at the beginning. Media of the instruction was the mother tongue, Sinhalese. Apart from the basic skills, religion, folk arts, folk music, horticulture and agriculture, weaving, handicrafts were highly prominent in the school curriculum. The most prominent dark era of the school was appeared during the World War ІІ. In the year of 1942, due to Japan’s bomb attacks, the school had to be closed. Later when the condition was normal, the government officials had decided to occupy the school premises and the building to conduct the primary section of another school. It was Royal College, a leading school in Colombo city, in which only the elite could attend. Due to that reason the students of Havelock Town Junior School had to attend another school nearby. That school was a Tamil medium school and they had their normal classes in the mornings. Having no enough room for the normal morning session, students of Havelock Town Junior School had to attend the classes in the evenings just for one or two hours. The students were simply idling rather studying. The enthusiasm of the teachers and the students was lost. With the end of the World War ІІ, a good time came to the school. The school was re-opened at its original place in 1945. As a result of less popularity caused due to the displacement of the school, number of the students was very few. However, with the implementation of the new Educational Reform of 1946, Havelock Town Junior School was promoted to senior level, and was called Havelock Town Senior School from 01.10.1946. But with this promotion the junior section had to be closed in the same year due to lack of students. A new principal was appointed by the officials for the betterment of the School. The new principal, Mr. Jayewardene, working hard with the staff, was able to receive the fame and the glory back. Number of students was increasing gradually but the physical resources did not change comparatively and it was a problem faced throughout the history, at every occasion when the number of the students was increased. D.J Dias, an outstanding principal was appointed to the school at the end of 1948. Even today he is remembered often for taking actions for the development of the school. School disciplined was highly observed during his time and he was able to develop the student – teacher relationship positively and also had a good control over everything. Sports activities took place due to the supplement of sports facilities. The first Inter house and inter School athletic meets were held during this period and it was a glorious victory. The motto of the school “DECEPLINE TAKES YOU TO SUCCESS” was an idea of Mr. By 1948, the first permanent building of the school was under its construction. This can be considered as a victorious event that took place over the history of the school. By 1954 the building was fully completed and it took the shape of letter “P”. That building was consisted of an auditorium and many classrooms giving enough room and space for the students to do their studies uninterruptedly. Halpe, an army captain by profession, was appointed as the principal of the school. He was able to make a real change in the school in every aspect. The significance of Mr. Halpe was that he was able to develop unity among the students, teachers and the parents. It made lots of positive changes of the school. Lots of extra curricular activities were taking place and the students were victorious and kept records continuously bringing much pride to the school and making it more famous. By 1957, Havelock Town School was given a new name – Lumbini College. With the new name, the school became popular in every nook and corner of the country. In 1958 as a victorious event the school got the opportunity of starting Advanced Level classes in Arts stream, and the first set of A/L students sat for the University Entrance Examination. By 1964, a new trend in education was emerged with the commencement of Commerce Stream in Advance Level classes in Sri Lanka. At the introductory level, only four schools of Sri Lanka were selected including Lumbini College. Soon the Lumbini College came up with excellent results in Commerce stream. This breakthrough created a big demand for the school. Every year a massive number of students send their application forms, having the intention of entering the school, after completing their Ordinary Level Examination. One of another victory of the school was the commencement of Bio-Science and Mathematics in Advanced Level classes in 1976. During this period there had been students with mental and physical deformities in the school. In 1980 a project for the students who had hearing defects was started in order to develop their education level. A unit for the students who needed special education was commenced in 1990. In 1995, a primary school which is situated near the Lumbini College was closed due to lack of Students. Officials of education ministry decided to restart the school as a combined school of Lumbini College considering the close proximity of the two schools. It was great chance to Lumbini College as the school was having a problem with the available space to build up newer buildings. The combined school came as a solution for the problem and soon the primary classes of Lumbini College were placed at the school gifted. Primary students of Lumbini College enjoy their education being at a spacious place today. Throughout the history, Lumbini College aimed to give an understanding of the challenges and opportunities to strengthen the abilities in order to improve the quality of life tomorrow.