The inception of Sujatha Vidyalaya, founded by Linton Kuruppu, took place in 1965 at Alfred Place, Colpetty, starting with just 30 students.
After its time at Alfred Place, Colpetty, Sujatha Vidyalaya was shifted to Queen’s Road in Colombo. It was during this period that Clara Motwani, an American woman, became the founding principal of the institution. Under her leadership, Sujatha Vidyalaya played a crucial role in empowering women and providing the country with strong female leaders, at a time when such leadership was greatly needed.
 Principal Ranmali Perera |
Under Clara Motwani’s leadership, Sujatha Vidyalaya expanded its to include classes from 8th to 12th grade, marking a significant milestone in the school’s journey. The current managing director of the school, Lakshman Kuruppu, played a pivotal role in guiding the school through this critical phase, ensuring its continued growth and success.
Sujatha Vidyalaya showcased its exceptional performance and emerged as a formidable competitor among other renowned schools. It surpassed expectations and outshone many well-established institutions in various competitions and academic pursuits.
Approximately 30 years ago, Sujatha Vidyalaya relocated to the bustling area of Nugegoda, where it transformed into what it is now. Under the leadership and dedication of Ranmali Perera, the current Principal, and Managing Director Lakshman Kuruppu, the school thrived and produced outstanding women in various domains, including academics, sports, and extracurricular activities.
Significant growth and development
 Sujatha Vidyalaya, Nugegoda |
Since 1997, Sujatha Vidyalaya has experienced significant growth and development. With an initial student body of 800, the school has expanded into a thriving institution; providing educational needs of 3,010 students. Under the guidance of 187 dedicated teachers, Sujatha Vidyalaya has classes from grades 1 to 13, providing a comprehensive educational experience to its students. The school has become a sanctuary for academic excellence, nurturing the talents and aspirations of its students.
In addition to Sinhala medium classes, Sujatha Vidyalaya also introduced English medium classes, broadening its language offerings. Nowadays, the school teaches multiple languages including Sinhala, Tamil, English, Japanese, and French. With a focus on educational advancement, Sujatha Vidyalaya achieved remarkable success. It’s students sat for the recent 2021 (2022) Ordinary Level examinations, where they demonstrated outstanding results. The school’s high pass rates in these examinations highlight its commitment to academic excellence and place it among the few private schools recognised by the examination department for its exceptional performance.
A total of 188 students from Sujatha Vidyalaya sat for the most recent examination. Remarkably, 184 students, accounting for an impressive 98 percent
of the total, successfully qualified for the Advanced Level examination. Despite the challenges posed by the Covid-19 pandemic, Sujatha Vidyalaya managed to achieve excellent results, just as it did in the previous year. The school’s accomplishments include 35 passes with distinction (9 As), 15 passes with a high grade (8 As), and 16 passes with a good grade (7 As). These outstanding results reflect the dedication and resilience of the students and the effective measures taken by the school to overcome difficulties brought about by the pandemic.
The results of that year showcased remarkable achievements in various subjects at Sujatha Vidyalaya. Subjects such as Buddhism, Islam, Art, Japanese, Eastern and Western Music, Drama, Geography, Information Technology, and Health all achieved a high pass rate of 100 percent. Subjects such as English, Mathematics, Science, History, Commerce, and French had a pass rate ranging from 95 percent to 99 percent. These excellent pass rates across multiple subjects are a testament to the quality of education provided at Sujatha Vidyalaya and the dedication of both its students and teachers.
Online education
One of the key factors contributing to the exceptional performance of female students at Sujatha Vidyalaya in 2021 (2022) ordinary level examination is their consistent engagement in online education since the beginning of the Covid-19 pandemic. The school’s proactive approach towards educational development has yielded positive outcomes, evident in the improvement of subject-specific achievements.
For instance, the Maths results pass rate increased from 86 percent in 2015 to 93 percent by 2021, indicating a significant enhancement in students’ mathematical skills and understanding. Similarly, Science results saw a notable rise from 82 percent in 2015 to 93 percent by 2021, highlighting the students’ strong grasp of scientific concepts. Additionally, English results exhibited remarkable progress, with an increase from 96 percent in 2015 to an impressive 99 percent by 2021, reflecting the students’ excellent command of the English language.
As per the analysis of the GCE 2020 results, Sujatha Vidyalaya secured an impressive 2nd place in the Sri Jayewardenepura region. The school’s success can be attributed to several key elements, including providing English Medium education to students from grades 1 to 13 and providing Information Technology streams. Additionally, the implementation of modern educational methods and technology through the STEAM education program has significantly contributed to the school’s accomplishments.
In response to the Covid-19 pandemic, Sujatha Vidyalaya initially adopted online education using Zoom technology. However, as time progressed, the school transitioned to online teaching through Microsoft Teams. This shift was accompanied by the introduction of a supervisory team, specially appointed by the school, to ensure active student participation during daily class sessions. By utilising Microsoft Teams as the online teaching platform, Sujatha Vidyalaya aimed to enhance the learning experience and facilitate effective communication between teachers and students.
Attendance in the online education sessions was mandatory, with students required to join in their school uniform, thereby preserving a sense of school identity and unity. The success of online education during the Covid era had a positive impact on the school’s enrolment, particularly in the first grade.
“No student should fail”
The implementation of the “No student should fail” program at Sujata Vidyalaya, Nugegoda has yielded positive results. This initiative assigns a dedicated teacher to students who scored less than 30 points in Mathematics and science subjects. By providing focused attention and support, the program aimed to improve the academic performance of these students.
To address the varying needs of students, Sujatha Vidyalaya, Nugegoda adopted a differentiated approach in education. While students with higher marks receive instruction from separate teachers, those who require additional support were assigned specific teachers who focus on areas that need improvement. This targeted approach has proven effective in achieving an average target of 98 percent.
 Students at the IT Lab (Pix: Nissanka Wijeratne) |
The students’ progress was monitored using the ‘Akura’ program, which allows for systematic tracking of their marks. This system has been seamlessly integrated into the online education platform, ensuring continuity and consistency in evaluating student performance.
Following the resumption of in-person schooling after the Covid-19 pandemic, Sujatha Vidyalaya, Nugegoda implemented additional classes to compensate for missed and essential learning components and enhance overall results. These extra classes were held from 6:30 am to 7 am and after school from 1:45 pm to 3 pm. To further support students’ progress, teachers and guest speakers conducted seminars aimed at improving O/L results. Feedback programes were also introduced to identify students who scored low marks in term exams, ensuring that all students received the necessary assistance and remained on track with their studies. These initiatives were implemented to maximise student learning and enhance their academic achievements.
Extracurricular activities
Sujatha Vidyalaya has demonstrated its excellence not only in educational advancement but also in extracurricular activities, consistently achieving remarkable accomplishments at both national and international levels.
The school claimed the second place in the 2019 International Western Singing Competition held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, showcasing their exceptional talent in vocal performance. Additionally, they achieved second place in the 2021 Odyssey International Singing Competition in India which was held online, further highlighting their prowess in the realm of singing.
On the regional front, Sujatha Vidyalaya emerged victorious at the Jayewardenepura regional and Western Provincial competitions, attaining first place and showcasing their outstanding abilities in various fields. The school’s dedication to the arts has resulted in numerous achievements, particularly in the art sections, during 2021 and 2022.
The Sujata Vidyalaya, Nugegoda High School Division offers a diverse range of streams, including Arts, Science, Commerce, and Edexcel sections, providing students with various academic pathways to pursue.
Sujatha Vidyalaya has established a longstanding relationship with Japan. Over the course of approximately 10 years, cultural programes and exchanges have been organised between these two groups, fostering a strong bond and promoting cultural understanding. Even during the Covid-19 pandemic, this connection was maintained through online methods, ensuring the continuity of cultural exchanges and collaborations.
Moreover, Sujatha Vidyalaya proudly represents Sri Lanka as a participant in the Tofas program, which tests students’ mathematical knowledge across 25 countries.
Senior academic staff
The school’s senior prefects
Junior prefects at a leadership workshop