Batuwangala MV produces competent, able students
View(s):By Sujitha Miranda
Batuwangala Maha Vidyalaya is not just another government school but the only school in Sri Lanka which has a hydro-power plant of its own to generate power for their electricity. They also have recognition as the only school which has the highest number of students’ blogs in their web sites.
The Serving Principal Mrs.Thilaka Wijeyanayake
Batuwangala Maha Vidyalaya is situated in the Hiniduma district attached to the Hiniduma electorate, Neluwa. It is situated in a beautiful vicinity. The surroundings add great beauty to the school. Hilly tea estates, misty mountains, cool weather, calm vicinity with peaceful villagers bring blessings to the school.
The school was established in 1935 as a poor rural village school, under the missionary administration with only handful of students. Later the school was taken over by the government and today it is established as a Maha Vidyalaya.
Batuwangala MV started a hydro-power plant project with the help of “Practical Action” as the school experienced difficulties to pay for electricity. Mr. Rohitha, an officer from “Practical Action Programme” joined hands to help the school. Today the power plant generates 850W for Batuwangala e-village. The computer lab is operated by charging UPS’s with this power plant.
E-Village Team
Today with only 350 students and 25 academic staff, the school has reached nearly to the top level among the Udugama Educational Zone, under the able leadership of the present principal Mrs. Thilaka Wijeyanayake.
Starting as a poor village school and reaching to the top is not an easy task. The students started to maintain an information system through Websites, student documents and magazines. They have created their own Blogs and they have produced excellent result in ICT in G.C.E.(O/L) examinations. This was a great achievement!
The ICT section of the school has rendered a great service for the teachers to reach classrooms by the teaching and learning process productively. They accumulate information for their respective subjects and in the process provide more knowledge to students.
As a result, students of Batuwangala M.V. have done well in public examinations with excellent results. They enjoy excellent ICT results with couple of A’s in G.C.E.(O/L) examinations every year. G.C.E. (A/L) too brings them consecutive success with several entering universities.
Dancing Group
Informal discussions with rural community leaders, the lads have revealed that they are eager to establish ICT facilities in their villages and to share in the fruits of global changes in the field of education, technology and social economic development.
To bring this dream true, E-village programmes ware launched for the chosen schools by the Ministry of Education. The Secondary Education Modernization Project (SEMP) developed the idea of establishing E-villages in those selected schools. The ICT Educational Plan also aimed to give specific information relating to their profession, i.e. farming, co-operatives for the villagers, which may benefit them.
The E Village presents an opportunity for the youth to obtain job opportunities in several fields. Their intention is not merely to train students in the ICT field and send them off to seek jobs outside, but to encourage them to use ICT technology to generate opportunities and to initiate activities within the community as well.
Computer Unit
Not only in IT, they have excelled in all extracurricular activities that they have taken part as well. Batuwangala MV took part the debate series organized by the Mother Sri Lanka Foundation and obtained the first place in the zonal competition and the 2nd place in the district competition in 2010.
They have shown their capabilities in all sports, dance, music, art, language day competitions as well.
However while striding with the vision “Prepare competent pupils, well equipped with the desired knowledge, skills and attitude providing leadership to the community inclusive of innovative technology and computer technology,” Batuwangala M.V. faces a small hindrance. The Computer Unit and the infrastructure of the school need to be refurbished. The authorities concerned should take immediate care and assist them to go further in future.
 Mini Hydro Power Project |
 E-Village Activities |
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