Devi Balika Vidyalaya
Devi Balika Vidyalaya is a public national girls' school in Colombo, Sri Lanka. Girls are admitted at grade six, based on the results of an island-wide scholarship examination. Like other national schools it is controlled by the central government, as opposed to a provincial council.
| Devi Balika Vidyalaya දේවි බාලිකා විද්යාලය தேவி பாலிகா வித்தியாலயம் | |
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| Location | |
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Sri Lanka | |
| Coordinates | 6.910740°N 79.882684°E |
| Information | |
| Type | National School |
| Motto | Manasa Sanvuta Dheera (Great are those who are serene in mind) |
| Religious affiliation(s) | Buddhist |
| Established | 15 January 1953 |
| Founder | Deshabandu Dr. Wimala de Silva |
| Principal | Pradeepa Samarasinghe |
| Grades | Class 6 - 13 |
| Gender | Girls |
| Age | 11 to 19 |
| Enrollment | 2500 |
| Colour(s) | Silver and Maroon |
| Website | devibalika |
History
By 1950, some of the recommendations of the Kannangara report had been implemented, but the opportunities for educational equality remained inadequate. The state accepted the recommendation of the White Paper on education (1950), to split education at grade 8, when compulsory education ended. One of the three streams was academic. In keeping with this policy, Government Girls' College, Castle Street (Devi Balika Vidyalaya) began to offer classes from grade 9 to 12, catering to academically gifted girls. The Department of Education further intended this new school to be a centre of excellence in science education, for which there was great demand after World War II.
The school was founded on 15 January 1953, constructed with prefabricated material, enrolling 53 students and hosting 5 teachers.
The importance of extra curricular activities was recognized though the emphasis was on academic pursuits. Girl Guiding, dancing (Kandyan, Indian and country dancing), music, sports and drama were introduced.
Wimala de Silva (Late Deshabandu Dr. (Mrs.) Wimala de Silva) was its founder principal.
A hostel was established in 1997 with the help of alumnae. On 5 March 1998 a School Multipurpose Auditorium was opened. Fundraising projects were held to swell the fund to match the grant given by the Ministry of Education. In addition, financial contributions received from other ministries, Pelpola Vipassi Foundation, various institutions, parents, and alumnae were a major support in doing this task. Engineering and Architectural consultancy and various free services received from supporters, made the 1st and 2nd stages of the School Multipurpose Auditorium Project a success.
Sources
- Devi Archive and PPA news letters by Iresha Wijayabandara