27. Purchase of Model Question and Answer Papers - 12 December 2022
Sipsaru purchased model question and answer papers (monthly and term test) for all subjects for classes from year 6 to year 11. And also purchased Science and Mathematics past question and answer papers of the Western Province for the year 10 and year 11 classes. These books will be kept in the library enabling teachers to borrow the same as and when necessary.
26. Scholarship Programme - 2022
Sipsaru supported purchasing of needed educational supplies for one year for twelve children ( six each girls and boys). These children are chosen per the agreed criteria. Seven are from the Primary section and the remaining from the secondary section.
25. International Teachers Day - 06 October 2022
The school celebrated the International Teachers Day on 6 October 2022. The programme comprised of speeches, singing and dancing items. Beautifully decorated traditional oil lamp with Gok leaves was a master piece demonstrating the esthetic and creative abilities of the students who did these with the guidance of teachers. Highlight of the day was the speech by the student who proposed the vote of thanks to teachers in English language.
24. World Children’s Day - 03 October 2022
The Primary School celebrated World Children’s on Monday 3 October as the Children’s Day fell on a Saturday this year. The theme was “Let us pursue our dreams”. It was colourful site to see these kids as they were allowed to come in colour clothes on the day. Many games and items were organized. All the children received a gift (educational materials) from Sipsaru. those were purchased for Singithi Bakmaha (Sinhala New year) festival that was cancelled due to sudden school closure as a result of the economic crisis of the country. Children had a joyful time playing singing and taking part in games. It was heartening to note that teachers cooking a special midday meal using their money and time to feed the Primary school children on the day.
23. Midday Meal - 29 April 2022
Recently the school has noticed more absenteeism amongst students as a result of them suffering from hunger due to prevailing failing economic situation in the country. The Government supporting scheme for midday meal is almost defunct due to insufficient allocation of mere Rs 30/ per child along with numerous restrictive conditions attached to it.
Sipsaru team unanimously approved provision of a midday meals for a Primary School student for an approximate cost of Rs 50/ per child. As there are 46 students in the Primary section a decision was taken to allocate Rs 2500/ day with a monthly total of Rs 50,000.
The school commenced providing the midday meal on 29 April. They have established a committee of 6 mothers to steer the programme along with the teachers. Mothers themselves who are working in groups of four are preparing the meal each day. The teachers monitor the preparation process and food hygiene.
Children are given boiled eggs at least two days a week.
We will be maintaining a separate ledger of accounts for midday meal.
22. Training of teachers on teaching strategies for children from poor socio- economic families - 2 April 2022
Our technical expert Dr Manoj Fernando conducted a days’ training programme for teachers on teaching strategies for children from poor socio-economic families. Dr Manoj Fernando used participatory methods comprised of lecture discussions, group work, roleplays and individual presentations.
The process helped the teachers to identify the main reasons for the poor educational performance of the students and the structural factors that they can address as teachers.
Level of engagement of teachers was exemplary. All the teachers came up with a minimum of two activities that they would undertake individually during next six months to enhance the educational performance and wellbeing of the students.
Teachers gave very positive feedback of the programme to Sipsaru. They mentioned that this training programme was very catalytic for them to realize the amount of interventions they could implement as teachers to enhance the education performance and wellbeing of the children.
Teachers agreed to discuss with the Principal on a monthly basis, the progress of what they planned during the training programme.
21. Health Promotion Programme 11 March 2022
Sipsaru team visited the school on 11 March 2022 along with our Health Promotion expert Dr Manoj Fernando.
Six sessions were held:
- Discussion with the teachers - Sipsaru, Dr Manoj Fernando and teachers discussed the General issues including of the existing teacher vacancies and non-functioning of the school library.
- Teachers and Dr Manoj Fernando – Dr Manoj Fernando conducted a discussion exclusively with teachers to gauge their motivation, willingness and the ability to continue the Health Promotion activities with the Sipsaru.
- Discussion with the students of year 9, 10 and 11 – Dr Manoj Fernando with Ms Dilukshi, Health Promotion facilitator conducted the session. It helped to understand the support the students get from the families, school and the structural barriers for studies and health. The students agreed to undertake a few activities individually as well in a team to improve the situation.
- Discussion with the parents of the year 9, 10 and 11 students- Dr Manoj Fernando with Ms Dilukshi conducted the discussion using participatory methods to understand the family support to students as well as the structural barriers for health and studies they face. At the end the end of the session the parents came up with a few activities they can undertake to improve the situation.
- Dr Manoj Fernando had another session of discussion with the teachers of their future plans: There was a request for training on education strategies for disadvantaged/ deprived children.
- Further, the teachers requested Rajarata University to get involved in school/community research on health promotion thus enabling the school to benefit from those.
- Dr Chandani Galwaduge conducted a discussion with the female students of year 8 and above on menstrual and personal hygiene.
Health Promotion facilitator and the teachers will monitor the progress of the planned activities by the students and parents.
