SOS Schools in Sri Lanka

SOS Nursery School Anuradhapura

One hundred and thirty-seven children attend the nursery schools and five of them are from the SOS Children’s Village Anuradhapura. The classes are held as usual and many activities were organized during the year. These included the commencement ceremony, sports meet, health camp, excursions, New Year celebrations, religious festivals, dance classes, exhibitions, concerts, graduation and the Christmas party. Parent/teacher meetings were held regularly. The teachers attended the workshop for nursery school teachers conducted at Piliyandala.

SOS Nursery School Galle

One hundred and six children are enrolled in the four nursery schools at Galle, of which only nine are from the Village. Many events were organised for the children, among which were a welcome ceremony for the new children, celebrating Independence Day, excursions, the annual sports meet, religious observances, fairs, a concert, graduation and the Christmas party. Parent/teacher meetings are held regularly and are well attended. A parent of the nursery school donated some play materials for the kids in the nursery school to mark the Universal Children’s Day.

SOS Nursery School Gandara

The SOS Nursery School at Gandara has been open since since February 2006 with two teachers and thirty children.

SOS Nursery School Monaragala

One hundred and sixteen children attend the four nursery schools and of these one little one is from the Village. Classes progress well and many activities were organised during the year. These included the commencement ceremony, sports meet, health camp, excursions, the New Year celebrations, religious festivals, dance classes, exhibitions, concerts, graduation and the Christmas party. The parent/teacher meetings were held regularly.

SOS Nursery School Nuwara Eliya

The total roll of the nursery schools is seventy-five of which two are from the SOS Children’s Village Nuwara Eliya. Activities included a welcome ceremony for the new students, fairs, exhibitions, excursions, competitions, English day, the annual concert, graduation and the Christmas party. The nursery school children had a band display at Gamini National School in Nuwara Eliya to commemorate the Universal Chidlren’s Day. Parent/Teacher meetings are held regularly and are well attended. Monthly medical checks for children are conducted and parents are informed of any irregularities. 

SOS Nursery School Perilaya

The nursery school at Perilaya has twenty-five children. A cup of milk is provided for every child daily. 

SOS Nursery School Piliyandala

The total roll of the seven nursery school classes at Piliyandala is one hundred and sixty. Activities during the year included the celebration of all the important national and religious festivals, excursions to places of interest, exhibitions, English Day, the annual concert and the graduation ceremony. The highlights of the nursery school children this year were the Muppet show performed by the teachers and the programme organised by the DFCC Bank, to commemorate the International Children’s Day. The nursery school have also proved to be successful in providing practical training to trainee nursery school teachers for a nominal annual fee.

The ‘KIDSMART’ computer programme is very popular among the children, which is an ongoing successful programme that provides children with a sound foundation in basic computer familiarity.

The special nursery school for children from low-income families in the neighbourhood has twenty-two children. This special nursery school conducts all activities and programmes as the other SOS Nursery Schools in Sri Lanka.

SOS Primary and Secondary School Piliyandala

The combined SOS Primary and Secondary School opened in 1985 first as a primary school following an agreement betwen SOS Children's Vilages and the Department of Education. There are over 900 pupils, 385 in primary and 520 in secondary. Students can choose among four different streams: science, mathematics, commerce and arts. The children are taught in Singhalese but they all learn English as a foreign language. Subjects taught include Singhalese, Buddhism, Mathematics, English, Sciences, Social Studies, Music and Dance, Art, Agriculture, Business Administration and Domestic Science. The school has its own library and gym. Students can participate in various sports, such as volleyball and football. Lessons usually start at 7:45 a.m. and end at 1:45 p.m.

When the SOS Children's Village was built, there were hardly any schools in the Piliyandala area. There was a lack of teachers, and most children could only attend school for four or five years. Today the SOS school is considered to be a model.