Established in 2000 by Ven. Banagala Upatissa Nayaka Thero, the Yoshida Shokanji School is an extension of the vision of its pioneer founder, Japanese Philanthropist Madam Yoshida. She was responsible in creating the Yoshida Foundation more than 30 years ago under which a kindergarten was established in 1979 which is still in operation.
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| The 3rd batch of YSIS O/L students |
The school was developed with an initial batch of 40 students who have grown with the school through its 11 year history, and recently sat the Ordinary Level examinations. It is a praiseworthy and noteworthy fact that at these examinations 94% of the students qualified to enter the A/L classes. This is a significant milestone in the school's annals. Three students obtained 9 "A" passes after 2010 O/L examination, namely.
Begun in 2000 with a Grade 1 class, the school was restructured in 2007 with the appointment of Ms Ranjini Fernando as Principal. Under the restructuring process, the school offered both the National Curriculum study programme as well as the Cambridge exam module which the students were at liberty to choose after Grade 6.
The school sends students for various foreign exams such as Edexcel as well.
A mainly middle income level family attracting school, Yoshida Shokanji International School (YSIS) believes in a holistic education for every child. Therefore financial difficulties are never considered barriers with the school largely depending on well wishers, donors and scholarship providers. Through this the school is able to provide for the complete education of children from all walks of life, who are in need.
The atmospheric ambiance within which the school is situated contributes significantly towards the holistic experience enjoyed by the students. YSIS is no doubt the only international school to be situated within a Buddhist temple premises. However students at YSIS are brought up in a well rounded cultural background where all four religions and all aces find its own significant place.
The school is host to students not only from the area but also from Pakistan, India, Bangladesh, Korea, and Maldives. Although there are no longer any Japanese ties, the school still continues the tradition of teaching Japanese as a compulsory language in all the grades. In fact languages play an important role within the school with Sinhala, Tamil and English being taught as well.
The school is immensely grateful to its well wishers among whom the Chairman of Maharaja Organisation plays a significant role for the management and infrastructure facilities given. Through the help of this organisation YSIS enjoys up to date facilities in terms of a library, science laboratory as well as computer laboratory. Mr Harry Jayawardena too has been a supporter and well wisher of the school. YSIS has also enjoyed the attention of the President and several past and present foreign dignitaries as well.
In pursuance of the vision of providing a well rounded education, YSIS provides for many extra-curricular activities. Students have proven their proficiency in swimming and athletics. Volleyball, football and netball have also been started recently and the school is making steady progress by building a playground and auditorium within the school premises. Aesthetic education is very well grounded with a western choir, eastern orchestra oriental dancing and art circle . Guiding, scouting, cubbing and little friends are also popular activities with one student and teacher being chosen recently to participate in the annual world guide camp in Hong Kong in December.
"Our school is young yet we have so much talent among our students. We are confident that YSIS can and will go on to break even more records, achieve many more milestones and become a cornerstone in the education of minds, bodies and spirits of students near and far who pass through our gates" concluded Ms Ranjini Fernando, Principal YSIS.-Shanika Perera |
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