 Q: It is interesting to note that your School has won the Best Annual Report and Accounts competition in 2009. Normally, only Private Companies receive such awards. Any comments?
This competition is jointly organised by the Ministry of Education and the Association of Accounting Technicians of Sri Lanka. The Annual Report submitted by the participants takes into account achievements on 12 criteria, which should be backed by documentary proof. In the year 2009 we were awarded the all Island Gold medal among 136 national schools who participated in the competition.
Q: Have you ever won this award before?
This award scheme was introduced in 2008, and we won the Island wide Silver medal and the 1st place in the Colombo District in that year.
Q: Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) is yet another function identified with reputed companies. However, your School is engaged in this activity, and donated a building for a needy School in Tissamaharama. How are you funding these projects and why?
We make use of excess funds from in-house projects to finance CSR activities. This is possible due to positive cash flows and good governance. It is our policy to set aside a predetermined amount every year to help needy causes.
Q. In what other way do you think, the students derive a benefit from CSR?
A. Good question. It is my aim to inculcate in the minds of young students the virtues of CSR. Once they are gainfully employed, they in turn will introduce CSR projects, through their institutions for the benefit of society. Also I dare say D.S. Sons volunteer in engaging in the annual social well being works like Annual Alms giving to the Cancer Hospital as a major event in their school calendar together with so may others throughout the year, without hampering their academic work.
Q. We are well aware of the adverse effect of Global Warming. It is in this context that we appreciate the launch of the" Carbon Neutral Project" in your school. How did you get about doing this?
We got about doing this the hard way, without requesting outside help. We collected money from projects organised by us, such as DS Walk, Dinner Dances, Fun Walk, College Drama and other events, organised by the OBA. The concept of Global Go Green is inculcated into the minds of the students to motivate them to be actively involved in the projects. We have already planted 25 root bolted trees and initiated a project to collect rain water for the Agriculture unit. We are trying to bring a green culture to the primary section of the school through a mixture of environment friendly improvements to the infrastructure and the best practices to be installed to the students.
Q. How do you evaluate the impact of this project on the students and eventually. on society?
This is part of the learning curve on environmental education. Students who learn the fundamentals of a clean environment and eco-friendly concepts will contribute their knowledge to the society at large, as adults.
Q. There is a general belief that the educational attainments of your school during the last decade has surpassed that of many other schools. Can you elaborate with numbers?
The students of DSS came within the first 10 positions in the Island wide Advanced Level Science stream results, seven times in the past. In 2008, 40 Engineering students gained entry into the Universities. There were six Biology students within the Top 50, in 2009.
Q. How about Sports? Can you explain the success of this department, and its achievements?
There are a number of sporting activities in the School, too numerous to mention here. Our achievements in cricket is legendary, having produced Test players, in the calibre of Aravinda de Silva and Hashan Thilakaratne. We have done extremely well in Swimming and Volleyball as well.
Q. It is the duty of any school to provide facilities to the students. What have you achieved in this respect in the last 10 years or so?
The School can be justifiably proud of having modern facilities such as a Swimming pool, with a spacious car park and a shopping arcade, a sports complex with modem sophisticated facilities, Basketball court well equipped with flood light systems and an electronic score board, a well equipped Auditorium, 5 Multimedia laboratories etc.
Q. Can you explain the role played by the Old Boys Association and the School Development Society (SDS)?
The Old Boys' Association and the SDS are the 2 pillars for the success of all development activities of the school. We would not be able to undertake any development projects if not for the financial and other contributions from these associations. We do not get any financial assistance from the Ministry of Education for development activities of the school.
Q. What about agriculture activities in your school?
We have allocated a 2o perch area for agriculture in the school premises. We have won 6 awards from the Ministry for best performance in agriculture in 2008. In the programme launched by the Ministry of Education for school API WAWAMU RATA NAGAMU, we were placed 1st in the western province and second all island among the national and other schools that participated
Q. What are your plans for the future?
Our plans are based on the Vision 2020 programme launched in 2006. The plan is divided into short term goals ie 2010, 2015, 2020. The grand vision for 2020 includes an Old Boy occupying a leadership position in the UNO and producing a scientific inventor and probably an Olympic medallist.
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