Recognizing the great service done for education
View(s):In the recently held 7th Annual International conference on education, organized by the International schools in Sri Lanka (TISSL) held at the Marriot Hotel Weiligama on the 22nd and 23rd of November where six senior educators in the country, nominated by the schools received “Life time achievement awards” in recognition of their contribution and dedicated service in the field of education in Sri Lanka.
Dr. Frank Jayasinghe
In addition Dr. Frank Jayasinghe, the internationally renowned educationist was nominated by TISSL Executive committee for a lifetime achievement for his invaluable service in the field of education in Sri Lanka and abroad for over six decades.
Education times interviewed him on his achievement;
I was taken by surprise, because when you do something that you really want to do you don’t think of any reward or acknowledgement, you just do it. I was kind of thrilled when the award was given because you have a good feeling that what you do is being appreciated. So I want to sincerely thank the current president and the members of the executive committee for nominating me for this award.
I still remember the day late 1986, when Mr. Win Sarjant, then principal of the Overseas International walked in to my office when I was the principal of Wycherley. When I was the principal of the Kodaikanal International School in India he was the principal of The American School in Janakyapoor in New Delhi. We worked together on several committees on international education such as NESA and ECIS. He asked me to start an association of international schools in Sri Lanka.
That was the beginning of the association way back in 1986. At that time there were only a few international schools operating. We contacted them and drew up a set of rules that apply to schools applying for membership in the association. These were a basic set of requirements. We organized the inter- international school athletic championship, swimming meets, cricket and badminton tournaments, chess and Scrabble tournaments on an annual basis.
All of this was carried out in an informal setting until 2012 when we felt the need to reorganize as an official body with a logo and a constitution. And after many discussions we finally put ourselves together in 2013 as TISSL, with the first chairman, Dr. Harsha Alles. I am amazed at the progress that TISSL has made during the last 7 years.
I started my teaching career early in 1952 at Wesley College where I worked for 12 years and I was invited to be the headmaster of St. Thomas’ College, Guruthalawa and I enjoyed building that school. I then moved to St. Thomas’ College, Mt Lavinia and I did a lot to bring back discipline to the school. I am remembered for this.
In the early 70’ the prestigious International School in Kodaikanal in India was looking for a director and principal and I was asked to come there. There were students from 36 different nationalities and it was a big task.
In 1984 due to the ethnic riots I had to leave India. Then I started Wycheley international school here in 1985 and today it is doing very well. In 1992 I was invited to build up St. Nicolas’ International school and it is doing very well. In 1996 I started my own school as The World Education and since it was mainly focussing on the quality I had to close it down after financial loses. I also started the Regent International School in Gampaha and the Cardiff International School in Kurunegala. At the moment I am in charge of other schools which I have started.
For all the hard work done in the field of education Dr. Frank deserved to be appreciated and we congratulate him for his achievement.
-Madhusha Dep-