153 years of educational excellence

The Imbulgoda Rajasinghe National School, next to the Colombo-Kandy main road, boasts a rich history spanning more than 153 years. Its humble beginnings trace back to 1870 when it welcomed its first batch of students within the confines of a modest thatched hut, guided by just a single teacher.

Originally known as the Baptist Boys’ School during its early years, this educational institution underwent several transformations. Subsequently, it evolved into a co-educational establishment and was rebranded as the Imbulgoda Junior English School.

Principal
Amaraweera
M. Mudalige

In 1964, the Government assumed control, prompting a change in its name to Imbulgoda Rajasinghe Maha Vidyalaya. Finally, in 2021, it achieved the prestigious status of a National School. Today the school conducts classes from Grade 6 to 13 and has become the most preferred school in the region for students who excel at the Grade 5 Scholarship Examination.

The Imbulgoda Rajasinghe National School is under the leadership of its Principal Amaraweera M. Mudalige, an accomplished educationist with an impressive track record spanning more than three decades. After a lengthy and dedicated career as a teacher and subsequently as a Deputy Principal, Mudalige assumed the position of school head in 2021 amidst the pandemic.

Today, the school serves as an educational home for nearly 1,000 students and boasts a dedicated team of 45 academic staff members, complemented by the support of eight development officers and seven administration staff. The school’s leadership team includes Kithsiri Kotalawala in the role of Deputy Principal, supported by Assistant Principals Susantha Rajapaksa, Ganga Shashikalani, and Shashika Ptiiyekumbura.

Approach

The school’s mission is to instill discipline and promote quality development to fulfill the objectives of national education. This approach aims to nurture a generation of disciplined, law-abiding, and cultured youth who possess the skills to overcome future challenges successfully.

The school’s infrastructure comprises a range of facilities, including an IT lab, a mathematics lab, a well-equipped library, smart classrooms, a specialised English unit, a Home Science room, as well as dedicated music and dancing rooms.

The Imbulgoda Rajasinghe National School offers a diverse array of extracurricular activities and clubs, including cadeting troops, a commerce club, a media unit, and both Western and Eastern music bands. Additionally, the school actively participates in various sports such as cricket, volleyball, netball, athletics, and chess, among other engaging pursuits. The students of Imbulgoda Rajasinghe National School have won numerous prestigious accolades at national level in fields such as art, music, and dancing, showcasing their exceptional talents and dedication.

Students at the Rajasinghe National School consistently achieve impressive results in national-level examinations. Currently, the pass rate for the GCE Ordinary Level (O/L) examination stands at 72 percent, with aspirations to elevate it to 75 percent within the next one or two years. In the GCE Advanced Level (A/L) exam conducted in 2021, students achieved remarkable results with a 51 percent pass rate in the Science section, a perfect 100 percent in the Mathematics section, a 55 percent pass rate in the Commerce section, and a 60 percent pass rate in the Arts section. The school went fully on-line during the pandemic so that students did not miss any vital lessons. This factor also contributed to the examination success.

Notably, the school adopts a bilingual approach to education, with both English and Sinhala being taught from Grades 6 to 11, ensuring a comprehensive and well-rounded learning experience for its students. Tamil is also taught to the students, who mainly belong to the Sinhala community.

Under the guidance of the current principal, a series of initiatives and programs have been diligently implemented to enhance the performance of students in national-level examinations. These efforts prioritise elevating the quality of education, fostering a high standard of discipline and behaviour among the students, beautifying the school environment, and enhancing its physical resources.

The Imbulgoda Rajasinghe National School has earned a distinguished place among the 750 innovative schools in the country. Their Innovation Lab, one of just five such labs in the Gampaha District, has emerged as a remarkable platform for students to showcase their innovative creations, also offering a valuable opportunity for children from neighbouring schools to participate and share their innovative ideas with a wider audience.

The Imbulgoda Rajasinghe National School has actively promoted the learning of both English and Japanese languages. Remarkably, it stands out as the sole school-level institution in Sri Lanka that provides students with the unique opportunity of participating in the Japanese Hakuhodo scholarship program. This prestigious scholarship, offered annually by the Japanese government, allows students to embark on a three-week study program in Japan, with all expenses fully covered.

Japanese language

Beyond its focus on the Japanese language, the school has initiated various programs aimed at enhancing English language proficiency, promoting Information and Communication Technology (ICT) skills, and strengthening the understanding of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) subjects.

The school has gained recognition for its exceptional success in implementing the subjects of Design and Mechanical Technology (DMT), establishing itself as a leader in this regard within the Gampaha education region.

Looking ahead, the school has ambitious plans for its future. In addition to its commitment to advancing the quality of education, it aims to bolster its sports programs and further enhance the teaching of both Japanese and English languages.

The Principal extended his heartfelt gratitude to all educational authorities, dedicated teaching staff, the School Development Society (SDS), parents, former students, and other supporters and well-wishers for their unwavering support in every positive endeavour undertaken by the school.