Prince College, Rathnapura celebrates her 20th Birthday
The year 2016 has become a milestone for Rathnapura New Town Prince College as she marked her 20th birthday anniversary on 10th of May. Starting with 72 students in 1996, now it has developed into a 1AB school along with a 1500 student in population. Simultaneously there had been only eight teachers in the staff at the beginning, which leads to 71 by now. The school which jaw its birth under the guidance of its first principal Mr.P.A.Karunarathne is currently lead by the principal Mr.Onil Siriwardana.
The foundation of this school was laid due to the crisis of congestion in national schools aroused at that time. There were fewer schools in Rathnapura area especially for boys after grade five scholarship examination. This school has bridged the gap for parents in finding a school for their children. From then onwards year by year two classes were added and the first batch of the school sat for their O/L in 2001, out of which 71 was qualified for A/L. Since then Prince college is still pursuing her journey with its limited resource available.
Gradually A/L Arts, Commerce, Maths and Science streams were added to the school. Its proud to mention that within this limited period of time the school produced Shehan Chamara Cooray; the district first (in first sitting) in 2013 in A/L Maths stream. Not only that her students have got selected for Engineering, Medical, Management and Arts faculties throughout the years. Every year considerable number of students get through the grade 5 scholarship examination and enter the near by national schools and reputed schools in Colombo.
Further it has paved her way for the students in music, dancing and arts subjects. Students were able to bring honour to school by winning the all island competitions in those subjects areas. D.V.Tharindu Abewardana Nilame has been able to win under different dancing categories at all island level consecutively for 6 years.
Besides, the school is in its highest position in athletic field as well. We were able to produce athletes like Malin Udaya Kumara who held all island records in hurdles and long jump. He was able to represent school even in international level in 2012 in Australia and received gold medals.
A far as the teaching learning process in the class room is concerned.All the teachers give their fullest support to achieve the target learning outcomes under the guidance of the present principal,the vice principals and the sectional heads of the school.Both curricular and extra-curricularactivities that takes place are for the positive upbring- ing of students in school. Being a boys’ school its discipline is not questioned at any moment so far. The application list for grade one admission itself proves the faith the parents have kept.
The school has transformed from her teens to her youth. Much has changed under the management of Rev.Kottayakanda Medhawansha Thera. He launched a project on donating a nutritious food parcel alone with other essential items for pregnant mothers in Rathnapura General Hospital to mark this year’s birth day celebration during the morning session.In covering this event the support given by Director S.P.A.L.Ranaweera , Deputy Director R.M.S.L.Rathnayaka , consultant VOG P.D.S.Obesekara, R.D.A.K.Fernando , S.M.P.Chandrarathna of Rathnapura general hospital is immeasurable. In the afternoon session they spent their time with the patients in Rathnapura Ayurvedic Hospital donating them with herbal drinks and traditional food items.
It’s noteworthy that the school would not have elevated up to this point if not for the tremendous support given by the all the governments elected so far irrespective of their parties.Being a provincial school we were lucky to get the support of all the educational officials. At the same time the school development society,parents,students and the old boys too should get the credit of this upbringing. Prince College has gained in every aspect including both human resources and physical resources.
The school which was established in a single hall being situated in a small thicket has now spread its glory not only in Rathnapura district but also in every nook and corner of the country.