Ratnapura TMV makes steady progress
Ratnapura Tamil Maha Vidyalaya is a prestigious Tamil school in the Ratnapura district which has shown very high achievements at public examinations in the Tamil Medium Sector. This year, the school is under the construction of Thousand School Project which has created high expectations among the administrators, staff and parents towards a huge development.
The school was first inaugurated in 1936 with only 63 students. The founders were Mr. M.devasahayam and Miss Eccius Fernando. Since 1963 the school has functioned with Al-mackiya Muslim M.V. in the same premises holding classes in two sessions. In 1987 Al-mackiya Muslim M.V. was shifted to a separate locality and Tamil M.V. started functioning as an independent school.
Now the school is boosted with nearly 800 students which is a reasonable number as all students come only from the neighbouring villages and they are the children of labourers. Nearly 30 teachers strive to bring the students up to a good standard in order to uplift their social status. The present principal MR.D.M.V.ROY, an old boy of the school, is a great pillar to the school. He is trying his level best to lead the school to the Under 1000 School Project, which will bring them more facilities and to A/ L Science and Mathematics streams as well.
Presently the school is performing with limited facilities, which has only three acres of land with few buildings. They are looking forward to a high development under 1000 Schools Project which will bring them another three acres in Ratnapura New Town along with A/L Science and Mathematics facilities.
Though the education level of Ratnapura District Tamil sector is not up to a high standard, comparatively Tamil M.V. students perform well. Grade five scholarship examination has brought fame to the school. In 2011 Nadarajakeshan obtained Fifth place in the Ratnapura district scoring 178 marks.
Annually they enjoy good results including mathematics at G.C.E.(O/L) and in 2010 they delighted in obtaining a success rate of 65%. In 1980 they had the Advanced Level Science and Maths streams and they have managed to produce a few doctors and engineers as well.
But as the result of the floods and landslides all their science laboratory and building were destroyed and they were forced to terminate those streams. Presently as a 1 C school, Ratnapuratamil M.V. teaches only Arts and Commerce for G.C.E. (A/L) and very few student enroll for their Advanced Level for the reason that they face so many financial problems. Among them annually 5 to 10 students enter university. This is really an academic feat for the school.
The students of Tamil M.V have done well in extracurricular activities too. The elle, cricket, netball and athletics teams have participated in Provincial and District level tournaments and has obtained many victories. The aesthetic section is an asset to the school which has been carrying All-island victories since 2004. Annually they bring more than ten places at the All Island Tamil Day competitions. The Past Pupils Association is a great strength in the development of the school.
They come forward to sponsor sports meets and help the students in their educational achievements as well. Ratnapura Tamil M.V. is a school which strives to bring the students to a top status and the principal, teachers and past pupil association are the backbone to this huge task. We as ET readers wish them all success.