Devi Balika: What lies ahead?

By Jayanthi Edirisinghe (nee Witanachchi)

The current developments about the future of Devi Balika Vidyalaya, Borella are heartbreaking to any student who has passed through the gates of this hallowed school. The Colombo Telegraph of May 2, 2021 reports, “the alleged efforts to shift a reputed all-girls’ school situated in Colombo 8 to a new location outside Colombo city limits”.

This refers no doubt, to none other than Devi Balika Vidyalaya in Borella. The underlying story is that the land on which Devi Balika stands today is prime land more suitable for commercial ventures in the present scenario. A top multi-millionaire has proposed to donate Rs 100 million to the school to develop a new facility for the A/L science stream by shifting it to a new location elsewhere.

Devi Balika Vidyalaya, founded in 1953, is a government school. Dr. Mrs. Wimala de Silva was its founder principal and the school at the inception was named Government Girls’ College, Castle Street and later as Devi Balika Vidyalaya, the first school in Sri Lanka to emulate the noble Vihara Maha Devi. In establishing Devi Balika Vidyalaya, the vision was to produce such brave females whom the country would be proud of. Such was the foresight of the founders of Devi Balika that had a humble beginning with classes conducted from Grade 9-12 for a student body of 53 girls and five teachers.

The school presently stands on a land area of 2.5 hectares. Right in front of the school is the Borella cemetery or Kanatta, that gave rise to its popular name– ‘Kanatta Central’ by students in boys’ schools. At the inception of the school, it had classes from Grade 9 to Grade 12, and in later years, more grades were added on up to Grade 6, to recruit students who have successfully passed the Grade 5 Scholarship Examination. A hostel was established in 1997 with the help of alumni to provide accommodation for scholarship students who entered the school from distant districts. Their presence added a new dimension to the school, as it gave a new life to the bright children from remote schools.

I was fortunate to be admitted to Devi Balika in 1962 on passing the entrance test to the school. I had to leave my former school, a leading Buddhist school in the outskirts of Colombo that did not teach certain subjects especially Zoology, as it involved dissection of animals. Hence, students intending to do medicine and allied sciences left for either Visakha Vidyalaya or Devi Balika Vidyalaya.

Going to Devi Balika was a whole new experience for me and a turning point in my life. There, I met girls of different ethnic backgrounds; Tamil, Muslim, Burgher, of different religions; Hindu, Muslim, Christian, Catholic and students from different social backgrounds, all of whom are friends to date. The strong friendship bonds made at a very tender age with girls of similar ages but of different backgrounds was what is unique about Devi Balika Vidyalaya, not seen in any other leading government school in Sri Lanka, even today.

Even the teachers at Devi were multi-ethnic and multi-religious. I vividly remember our English teacher, whom we all loved then and even now, who taught us not only English but many lessons in life. She was a newly-graduated pretty young Muslim lady, well known in society today.   The chemistry teacher, yet another young fair lady who wore a black ‘pottu’ on her forehead was admired by us for her beauty, colourful sarees and the way she taught the subject. Our Zoology teacher wore a huge red ‘pottu’on her forehead but spoke flawless Sinhala. These teachers along with many other Sinhala teachers who taught other subjects moved with harmony. The teachers’ room was full of chatter and a variety of sweetmeats of several ethnic origins during the tea interval. Such was the set-up at Devi Balika Vidyalaya, where a true cosmopolitan society existed.

Of the extra-curricular activities, Girl Guiding needs special mention. Late Mrs. Venetia Gamage (nee Fernando), who was our very first class teacher at Devi was our Biology teacher and the teacher in charge of Girl Guiding. Training under her as a Girl Guide added a new dimension to us then and even now.  She inspired me to be what I am today- a Biologist by profession. The school thus gave us the opportunity and confidence to trust, befriend and help all communities in Sri Lanka. That friendship, which we are proud of, was carried through life, passed on to our children and even to grandchildren, a feature unique to Devians.

The discipline and the good qualities that Dr. Mrs Wimala de Siva, inculcated made us balanced citizens and professionals. In my working life at the university, I have taught undergraduates of all ethnic, religious and social backgrounds. I guided many of them through research to earn their postgraduate degrees and they later joined universities and research institutes local and abroad. They carry the same spirit that was rekindled in me at Devi Balika. Devi Balika may not have produced politicians to be proud of but certainly, professionals and mothers that our society can be proud of.

The current scenario

The world now is a different place compared to what my generation experienced as schoolchildren. We are at a stage in human history where people, degrees and many other things in life can be bought for money. But tragically, we realize that even schools can be bought. A well-formulated school on the lines of equality, equanimity geared to produce many generations of responsible girls, who later become mothers and professionals cannot be compared to a commercial venture that may even be a gamble under the prevailing COVID-19 situation.

More than half a century has elapsed since the school was founded. Sri Lanka is gifted with thousands of patriotic, talented and skilled daughters dedicated to duty and service to their motherland, who have brought fame to their school in return. If the school is shifted to a new location (even in part) it will no longer be the same. The children that pass through the new gates will not be the same. The teachers would no more be the same and would not have the same enthusiasm. It will be a slow death to the ‘Kanatta Central’ if it has to leave the environs of the Kanatta.

The saying goes that the location of Devi Balika is testimony to our journey in life, starting at the Castle Street Maternity Hospital in Borella, passing through the corridors of this great educational institute and ending at the Borella Kanatta. What is going to happen to the school under the present circumstances is unclear. As the Buddhist saying goes -it is the way of the world - the impermanence of all things.

Keeping in mind the Devi motto  – “Manasa Sanvutha Dheera - They who are restrained in mind are wise”, I appeal to all Devians to be restrained and cautious at this hour of need to save our school.

On behalf of all Devians, I appeal to the First Lady of this country to save this unique leading all girls’ school in Colombo.

(The writer is Professor Emeritus, University of Peradeniya)