Inspiring dream – indomitable reality : LYCEUM’S 20TH BIRTHDAY
This was the dream, the desire, the dominant wish. It took form in the innermost thoughts of an extremely simple, modest individual, 20 years ago. Today, that seed of an idea has transformed itself into a magnificent educational group of schools — the Lyceum Group of International Schools. From very humble beginnings comprising of one parent school at Nugegoda, this group now has arteries which spread from Nugegoda to Wattala, Kandana, Panadura, Gampaha, Ratnapura, Nuwara-Eliya and Anuradhapura.
Who is this man of foresight and fortitude? He is none other than our Managing Director — The Hon. Mohan Lal Grero. In order to translate a dream into the language of reality, he had to traverse the thorniest paths possible. Yet he plodded on, learning how to focus on his main objectives, even in the midst of strife; to think logically at all times; to persevere without any complaint; to endure hatred without resentment; to fraternise without losing individuality; to serve without compensation, commendation, recognition.
‘Service’ is the motto of his life and as the founder of the Lyceum Group of International Schools, he plunged wholeheartedly into the task of spreading wisdom and knowledge among numerous children in the Island. At the present moment all the schools have a total population of 15,400 students and 2,000 staff. The Parent School was founded by its Managing Director Mr. Mohan Lal Grero on 14th June 1993 and is situated at No. 3/1, Raymond Road, Nugegoda. It has a student population of 4,400 and a Staff of 600. The entire student population comprises of 15,400 students and a staff population of 2,000. The Lyceum International School, Kandana Branch commenced on 6th September 1999 and has a student population of over 330 and a Staff of 42. The Lyceum International School, Panadura Branch commenced on 3rd May 2000 and now has a student population of 2,127 and a Staff of 300.
The Lyceum International School, Wattala Branch commenced on 3rd September 2001 and now has a student population of 5,000 and a Staff of 550. The Lyceum International School, Ratnapura Branch commenced on 6th January 2005 and now has a student population of 1,180 and a Staff of 180. The Lyceum International School, Gampaha Branch commenced on 4th September 2006 and now has a student population of 1,776 and Staff of 250. The Lyceum International School Nuwara Eliya Branch commenced on 1st April 2012 and now has a student population of 646 and Staff of 100. The Lyceum International School Anuradhapura Branch commenced on 2nd January 2013 and now has a student population of 26 and Staff of 12. The name Lyceum comes from that of an ancient Athenian School founded by the Great Philosopher Aristotle in 335 BC in a grove sacred to “Apollo Lyceus”.
The Principal and Warden are in charge of the administration of the school, and act in liaison with the Coordinating Principal and the Managing Director. The panel of teachers is selected on the requirements of the school. All teachers are qualified in their areas of instruction. Strong emphasis is laid on appropriate qualifications, teaching experience and continued staff development.
Each school is fully equipped with airy classrooms, air-conditioned State-of-the-art libraries and laboratories where students can pursue their academic goals in comfort. At Lyceum, the adage, ‘A healthy mind in a healthy body’ is introduced into the curriculum and this is facilitated by football fields, basketball courts, swimming pools, athletic tracks, tennis and badminton courts, volleyball courts, karate halls. Other extra-curricular activities are scrabble, drama, debating and public-speaking which attract many young amateurs to learn the basic rubrics of these activities.
It has always been a strong belief of the school Management, that what builds society is creative, inventive, vital activity and this is fuelled by integrity of mind and purpose, a spirit of tolerance and hard work. In order to achieve this, we need a very vital ingredient — DISCIPLINE. In Lyceum, it is clearly evident that even though students work and play together, bound by a dynamism and energy, there is a heightened sense of discipline and restraint in all activities. There is a unique awakening of awareness in every heart. This has truly enriched our lives and very valuable moral lessons are taught and learnt.
Ours is a closely – knit family and we welcome brothers and sisters from various religions, which appear very conspicuously on our daily agenda. We begin our day’s duties with prayers from the four major religions of our country, recited over the public address system. Religion also features on our daily timetable. With this aura of spiritual peace engulfing us, we proceed with our daily routine.
Time marches on and the ‘family’ grows day by day, headed by our Managing Director and his able wife, Mrs. Kumari Grero who is the Coordinating Principal. She is a lady of immense grace and nobility, who unites this ‘family’ with her gentle and courteous temperament. Another extremely happy event was the appointment of Ms. Wenuri Hettiarachchi, a past student of Lyceum Nugegoda as the Principal of this very same institution. There are staff members, who have been with the school for over 18 years and have witnessed this school, which began with 7 students and 5 teachers, bloom and blossom over the years. There are new members of staff who are continuously enriched by the devotion and dedication of the senior members. Even the grandchildren of some of the staff are now a part of this ‘family’. What a proud moment it is !!
Every year, everyday, every hour brings forth new horizons, new frontiers to be attained under the able guidance of our Managing Director and our Coordinating Principal, we can always be galvanized into action and taste glory. In our own way, let us shed a tiny ray of hope, heralding the dawn of a brighter future for Sri Lanka.
Let us never forget
“True knowledge leads to love;
True dignity abides with him alone
Who, in the silent hour of inward thought,Can still reverse himself,In lowliness of heart.”
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