One thing which decides the journey and the direction of any institution is vision of that institution.
Here we unfold the journey of an institution which is situated in a historical city in Sri Lanka and which has sheltered individuals who wanted to win their future through knowledge.
On 05 February 1981, we started an institution named “ Sipsathara Kala Piyasa” under the vision of offering a hand to students to win the world of knowledge.
In early 80s there were only few institutions in Central province which provided private tuition. At a time like that, in 1981,Sipsathara Kala Piyasa commenced Maths classes for G.C. E O/L new curriculum. The institution began to expand in 1983, by commencing classes for Art, Commerce and Maths streams for G.C.E Advanced level examination. Our students got highest scores in their examinations and many students received university entrance since the beginning. Since the early years of 80 s the percentage of the students who were entering to university with our guidance began to increase. With this success, Sipsathara became popular among the students and received a high reputation in the society. The strength we received from that, helped us to introduce new courses.
In 1989, we started English Medium classes for Ordinary Level Examination and Advanced Level Examination. In collaboration with the British Council, we commenced English medium classes for Ordinary Level and Advanced Level examinations.
As we began to introduce new courses and classes, the issue of space began to rise. The management of the institute decided to move into a place with a wider space and new changes. One of these new changes is the name of our institute. The name Sipsathara changed as “Navodaya”
Our new chapter began at the Navodaya, No165, D.S.Senanayake Steet , Kandy. We turned a new page of our history by commencing External Degree classes partnering with the University of Kelaniya. The pioneer of this idea was Professor Rohana Luxman Piyasada. Along with Professor Piyadasa, a panel of academic scholars joined with us. We were able to challenge the autocracy held by the University of Peradeniya on external degree programs.
The first batch of the external degree programme was limited to few students. The beginning, of course was challenging. However, the number of students began to gradually increase. More than 600 students enrolled to the degree program in the third year. While the number of students is increasing the subjects, we were teaching began to expand.
We are not only giving subject knowledge for our students but lessons which helps them to win their future life. We have given life for thousands of students. They have climbed to the top level of private and government sector and some of them have spread their knowledge all over the world. We are so proud to say that our students have been successful in becoming teachers, lecturers and professors as well and passing their knowledge to the future of our country.
Without a doubt our past students are providing their service for the betterment of our country. They are the strength of our 40 years of history.
Over the past few years, we made changes that will befit with the current economic, social and political requirements. Navodaya turned another chapter of its successful history by relocating the institution to a six-story building built in Navodaya owned land with all the facilities including language labs, library, studio labs with audio – video devices and spacious lecture halls. We should be grateful for our lecturers who were with us for a long time by providing a brilliant service for our students.
Navodaya Education Centre always try to introduce new courses that are complying with the modern world. Today, we are delivering new courses under the supervision of professional guidance.
Diploma in Archeology and Tourism are targeting the current job market in Sri Lanka. The course on Project Analysis and Management is expecting to create a team who would dominate the future development. Students will get a more expanded knowledge of this area by the Diploma in Research Methods.
Higher certificate courses for French , Chinese , Japanese, Russian and Korean will help our younger generation to build up their language skills while improving their strengths to face challenges of globalization.
Diploma in Psychology which is designed for individuals who are interested in social development and social influence and future counsellors and therapists and the Diploma in Interiror Designing which is designed for students who are enthusiastic on interior designing are some of the main courses delivered by the Navodaya Education Centre.
The Navodaya Education Centre is doing a silent service to the society without making popularity, money and profits as our main priorities.
Here are some of the few things we have done to the betterment of the society:
We contributed on building informative boards around Kandy, which is a center of domestic and foreign visitors.
We financially supported the newly built Cancer treatment center of General Hospital, Kandy. The Centre for cancer patients was a much-needed thing for Kandy.
We have sponsored District Secretary Office in Kandy to publish a Telephone directory including contact details of all the institutes and organizations in Kandy district.
Navodaya Education Centre was always supportive for the development of Sri Lankan culture and arts. As a production of the Navodaya Education Centre, “Premawantha Kumarayo stage drama was released with the collaboration of Academic Players of Performing Arts Department in University of Kelaniya . The stage drama was based on one of the masterpieces of William Shakespeare, “Mid Summers Night”. The stage drama has received awards and appreciated at the State Drama Festival – Sri Lanka in 2017. We believe no other private education center in Sri Lanka has contributed to a massive creation like this.
To appreciate our service, a special first day cover stamp has issued by the Department of Posts for the 35th anniversary of the Navodaya Education Centre. This is the first stamp issued for a private institution in the Sri Lankan History.
In future we are planning to give our Sri Lankan students the opportunity to obtain an international higher education while residing in Sri Lanka. For that, we are expecting to introduce new courses partnering with foreign countries.
For the past four decades we have contributed to the Sri Lankan society in wide range of economic, social and cultural aspects. We will continue to contribute to our society with the vision of supporting to the development by creating a future with leadership qualities and knowledge.