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Students enjoy showing off their talents in many ways in front of a gigantic crowd who never stopped cheering. The Kinder Graduates received certificates, Medals and prizes for their achievement.
At the end all the students have said farewell to the crowd. Some students parted us with the intention of coming back to the preschool to finish off their early childhood education next year.

10.12.2011, Saturday morning was the first of so many unforgettable events for about 60 Upper Kindergarten students. These students have celebrated their Preschool Graduation function from Early Childhood Education in Domino’s Early Childhood Education Centre, one of the Rose Preschools in Kalmunai.

Mr.N.Nagarajah, Principal Domino’s Early Childhood Education Centre has presided the event where Mr.P.Srikanth, Co-ordinator, Human Development Organization was the Chief Guest and Mr.Piyantha Liyanage, Assist. Superintendent of Police, Kaluwanchikudy was the Special Guest. Fro from Rose Charities Srilanka Mr.Anthony Richard, Chief Executive Officer, Mr.N.Parasuraman, Administration Officee, Mr.S.Rajeeshan, Programme Co-ordinator, Mr.N.Raveendran, Mr.M.Somasegaram, Mr.K.Thayanandamoorthy and the Board of Directors have participated in the ceremony.

Fundamentals:

The Sri Lankan Ordinary Level (O-level) and Advanced Level (A-level) are General Certificate of Education (GCE) qualifications conducted by the Department of Examinations which is based on the British GCE qualifications. An O-level is a qualification of its own right, but more often taken in prerequisite for the more in-depth and academically rigorous Advanced Level exams the qualification by which is used as an entrance for Sri Lankan state universities.

In recent years the exam has become extremely competitive and even traumatic for most high school students in Sri Lanka, since only top 11% of students who pass this exam are selected to the state universities by the government agency tasked with university admission, the University Grants Commission. Admission at undergraduate level to these public universities is based solely on the results of the G.C.E. (A/L) Examination and the Z-score, which considers the difficulty level of the subjects. Due to restricted facilities admissions have become extremely competitive.

RCSL’s Involvement:
GCE O-level Enrichment;

The annual Education Enrichment program implemented by Rose Charities Srilanka has been inaugurated on the 6th of June 2011. Classes for the students who are going to sit for the GCE O-level Examination in December 2011 were conducted. Science, English, Math, Tamil and History had been the subjects in focus. There were about 461 students from 9 schools in Ampara and Batticaloa districts were the beneficiaries of this year’s program. 45 Teachers have been engaged for conducting the classes in 7centers. 8 field staffs and a team of project staffs have been involved for the effective implementation of the program. Program came to an end in October 2011 with a grand Seminar series in subjects such as Mathematics and Science.

Grand Seminar Series:

A team of experienced teachers with the aid of multimedia and using animation techniques conducted a series of Mathematics and Science seminars 6 to be exact for a grand total of about 500 students from 13 schools. More than 15 teachers were involved in these seminars.

GCE A-level Enrichment or University Entrance Program;

Classes for the students who re-sat the General Certificate of Education (Advanced Level) Examination in August 2011 in the Arts stream were conducted. The classes were started in February and came to completion in July. Political Science, Hindu Culture, Logic and Scientific Methods, Tamil and Drama & Theater were the subjects in focus. There were about 40 students from Kalmunai, Natpiddimunai, Navithanveli, Karaitivu Veeramunai and Mandur areas of Ampara and Batticaloa districts benefited from this year’s program. 5 Teachers were been engaged for conducting the classes in Education Development Society, Kalmunai. A team of project staffs have been involved for the effective implementation of the program.

As part of the Enrichment Classes review classes were held by the teachers and model exam papers in each subject were given to the students which will be then discussed.

Fundamentals:

The Scholarship Examination aka – the Grade 5 Scholarship exam is a highly competitive Sri Lankan examination conducted by the Department of Examinations of the Ministry of Education. It is optional for students to undertake it during the final year of primary school (Grade 5, usually ages 9-10). Based on the results of the exam, students could transfer to prominent national schools. This Exam is a means for gifted students from villages to move to better schools with government scholarships. Annually based on demand for individual schools, cut-off marks are set by the Ministry of Education.

In recent years the exam has become extremely competitive. Every parent likes to enroll their child to a popular good school in major cities. If they fail in the first round to enter their child to Grade 1, then their next goal would be to get a good school by preparing their child to obtain a high mark in Grade 5 Scholarship examination. In this Examination, students get direct raw mark, unlike other examinations. Therefore this may be the hardest exam in Sri Lankan school system, considering the age of the candidates.

Involvement:
Rose Charities Srilanka, under its Primary Enrichment Program has intended to improve; the access of low-income children to primary education, the quality of primary education through teacher training workshops and Integrate school drop-outs back into school.
RCSL helps students who are from areas of poor income generation and do not have the resources and access to gain practicable knowledge to prepare them for exam by conducting Enrichment classes after schools.
RCSL is not only focusing the Grade 5 students but also preparing grade 4 students in advance to sit for the Scholarship Exam in the year after.
Through these Enrichment Classes skills have been improved for primary teachers.
Re-integrate school drop-outs with expenses, such as school uniforms and books back into school.
In 2011:
RCSL has implemented the Primary Enrichment Program in 14 schools in the area with a total of 410 students in grade 5 and 11 schools with 314 students in grade 4.
In Detail:

1. Kalaimagal Vidyalayam, Vellavely (Grade 4 Enrichment Classes)
2. Kanapathipuram Vidyalayam, Malwatta (Grade 4 Enrichment Classes)
3. Holy Cross Vidyalayam, SoriKalmunai (Grade 4 Enrichment Classes)
4. Kalaimagal Vidyalayam, Veppayadi (Grade 4 & 5 Enrichment Classes)
5. Kannagi Hindu Vidyalayam, Karaitivu (Grade 4 & 5 Enrichment Classes)
6. Saraswathy Vidyalayam, Neelawanai (Grade 4 & 5 Enrichment Classes)
7. Maha Vishnu Vidyalayam, Pandiruppu (Grade 4 & 5 Enrichment Classes)
8. Vipulananda Maha Vidyalayam, Malwatta (Grade 4 & 5 Enrichment Classes)
9. G.T.M. School, Puthunagar (Grade 4 & 5 Enrichment Classes)
10. Pulavarmani Sherifudin Vidyalayam, Maruthamunai (Grade4&5Enrichment Classes)
11. Al/Maslam Vidyalayam, Nintavur (Grade 4 & 5 Enrichment Classes)
12. Sri Sakthi Vidyalayam, Navithanvely (Grade 5 Enrichment Classes)
13. Annamalai Maha Vidyalayam, Navithanvely (Grade 5 Enrichment Classes)
14. Vinayagar Vidyalayam, Addappalam (Grade 5 Enrichment Classes)
15. Gazzaly Muslim Vidyalayam, Sammanthurai (Grade 5 Enrichment Classes)
16. RKM Girls School, Karaitivu (Grade 5 Enrichment Classes)
17. Al/Ashraf Maha Vidyalayam, Mavadipalli (Grade 5 Enrichment Classes)

Extent:

Due to the unexpected heavy rain and flooding in the district in the beginning of the year, the commencing of the program had to be postponed. The Primary enrichment classes for grade 5 students started in February and came to completion in June, 2011. The Grade 5 students who underwent the enrichment classes have sat for the Government Exams in the later part of August, 2011. The result of this exam was released in October, 2011 which shows the actual outcome of the program.

The 2^nd phase of the Primary Enrichment Program for Grade 4 students has been started in July and ended in November, 2011.

Classes:

Daily enrichment classes in subjects such as Tamil, Mathematics, English, Environment and Singhala were held by teachers who have been trained in primary education. The classes were conducted after the regular school hours. Along with review of model questions, examinations and evaluations of the student’s progress were maintained by the teachers. RCSL’s Community Support Workers visit centers and issue teaching materials and stationery required.

Grand finale:

As a part of the conclusion of this enrichment classes some of the students who were unable to afford for educational materials were issued with past paper books. This has been done with the association of Dr.A.Jogarajah of Loyal Publications, Colombo. Book containing exam papers of past 10 years and model questions were issued to a number of students, who will sit for the Exams in August, 2011.

Achievement:

Analysis based on a set of indicators shows, through the Primary Enrichment Program the followings were achieved in 2011.

Improved primary school students’ ability to write exams
Increased the confidence level of students and reduce anxiety over Exams
Increased scores on Grade 5 Scholarship Exams
Increase in pass rate of students sitting for the Government Exams
Improvement in Grade 5 Scholarship Exam results in the area
Increase the amount of government scholarships awarded to students

Felicitation:

A ceremony has been organized to mark the achievements of the students involved in primary enrichment classes and passed the Scholarship Examination in 2011. These students of various schools have been felicitated by RCSL. Students were given certificates of recognition and medals of honour during this function.

The long waited Convocation Ceremony for the STUDENTS graduating from Rose Preschools was held in the morning of 4th December, 2011 at the English Language Institute Auditorium, Kalmunai. Students, Teachers and Parents have eagerly participated in the event to make it a great success. There were about 200 students from 13 (out of 14) Rose Preschools received Certifications for the completion of Early Childhood Education and the Medal of Kindergarten Graduate.

Mr.I.L.M.Ibrahim, Working Director for the Preschool Education Bureau, Ampara District has participated as the Chief Guest. CEO, Staff and Board of Directors of Rose Charities Srilanka have also participated in the event.

Individual and group performances of students were an extra treat for the spectators. The auditorium was filled with happiness and enthusiasm of all the kids.

Community and or Area Profile; Rose Preschools were established in communities various ethnicity which have been identified as needy. The needs of the community as well as the children are analyzed carefully in order to recognize the requirement of a preschool. Areas affected by the civil strife and or completely affected by natural disasters such as tsunami of 2004 where people have displaced and or resettled. Communities with low income generating families and villages with no preschools were also considered to reach the under privileged children.

Class Structure; Students are placed in Play Group, Lower Kindergarten and Upper Kindergarten based on their ages. For Play Group and LKG, teaching is through activities. Students will be taught all three languages such as English, Tamil and Singhala. Students will be engaged in extracurricular activities such as music, dance, drama and sports. Classes are in week days from 8.30 a.m. to 11.30 a.m.

Calendar of Preschool Activities; Activities for the school year are pre planned and executed well.

First term;

• Sports meet
• Educational picnic
• Term Assessments
• Parents teachers meeting

Second term;

• Preschool day
• Cultural activities
• Term Assessments
• Parents teachers meeting

Third term;

• Religious ceremonies
• Year end Assessments
• Parents teachers meeting
• Preschool Day Celebrations
• Graduation

Support and Facilities for Rose Preschools; Necessary furniture, stationary items, learning materials of various kinds and music instruments were issued to each preschool. Domino’s Early Childhood Education Center in Kalmunai has all the teaching and learning facilities available and essential. Modern teaching equipments like computers, multimedia, television are used for teaching purposes. A library facility is also available.

Promotion; Early Childhood Care and Promotion Campaigns have been conducted throughout the communities where RCSL has been working in by the Community Support Workers and the field staff of RCSL. The members of the Rose Women Groups, Girls Clubs are also engaged in the promotion of the preschool education.

Events along the Year:

In advance; In order to start the school year effectively, on 27th, 28th and 29th of December 2010, a three days long Preschool Teacher Seminar and Workshop has been held long before the beginning of the schools. The Preschool Teachers attached to the Rose Preschools have received trainings in the following topics. The present preschool system in Srilanka; Montessori methods of teaching; Relationships with students and parents; Promoting the attendance; Main skills of language; Activity and play methods of teaching; Use of teaching aids; Communication and child development; Leadership abilities and Techniques in English language

Interruption; From December of 2010, in to January and February of 2011 an intense rain and flooding in almost the entire project area made a halt in almost all of the programs. RCSL had to put most of its activities on hold to embark on flood relief activities within the communities we were working with. For more than a month, the project office has been transformed in to a relief centre. We have estimated that our activities have been delayed by at least three months due to the floods. This caused gaps, delays and or in some cases no events in our scheduled programs. Specially all of our preschools were closed for more than two weeks due to flooding and after-flood effects.

We have informed our Funders of this situation and have received an extension of delivering on these activities. Staff resources have been used double time accommodate the missed out programs with the regular programs.
Regular Monitoring; A Team of Supervisory Staff from Rose Charities Srilanka performs monthly and or as required inspection of the functioning of the preschools and its records. In the weekly meeting preschool teachers report their activities and progress. Staffs from the Department Education, Preschool Education Bureau and the Divisional Secretariat make supervisory visits to Preschools.
January and February; The preschools were opened for its first term activities on 5th of January 2011. For each preschool teaching and activity materials were provided. Educational and learning materials were issued under the direct preschool support program for Preschool children from less privileged-low income families and for preschool students who have been identified as ‘at-risk’, drop-out, destitute, vulnerable and orphans due to tsunami or civil war. A total of 633 children have been reached by this activity. School uniforms, school bags, drink bottles, books and stationeries were issued for the ease of continuing their schooling.

A faction of the Eastern Provincial Government, Preschool Education Bureau started registering all the preschools including the teachers in the province to take over a part of the governance of those preschools. By working with this government sector we could be able to sustain the functioning of all of our preschools in the future.
As a part of the Flood Relief the families of Rose Preschool students were provided with necessary provisions and in most of the case food packs and materials.

An Awareness Program on the importance of preschool Education and infection control after the flooding was conducted to the Preschool Mothers of Malwatta.

March and April; March is the month for Sports Meet.

In the 1st and 2nd Week all the pre school students have divided into houses and participated in various sports events such as track races, duck walk race, rabbit race, eating bun, Identifying & collecting colours, collecting fruits, picking sweets and fancy dress competitions. The preschool teachers have decided to pick the names of the advisory and committee members of Rose Charities Canada as their house names in order to honour their services towards the people in Ampara District. Thereby the houses have been decorated as follows; Mike House, Michael House, Josephine House, Lawrence House, Laurie House, Yoga House, William House, Erica House Krutzen House, Gail House, Charles House and so on. The students have been participated enthusiastically in the sports festival with joy.

At the end of March students of Rose Preschools sat for their First Term Assessments where there progress and performance has been analyzed following which they have enjoyed two weeks of vacation time.
A Mother and Child Drop-in Group Program on the importance of malnutrition of the child, immunization and health habits was conducted to the Preschool Mothers of Veeracholai.

May and June; May and June are the months for Education Tour for the preschool children.
According to the Sri Lankan Preschool Curriculum every preschool children should be taken out on Educational Tour to show them various environments and places. Students of Rose Preschools in their one day Educational Tour saw places of historical importance, places of worship of different communities, Railway station, post office, hot wells, gardens, hanging bridge, sea shore, light house and etc.

A special two days Training and Workshop has been arranged for preschool Teachers on 1st and 2nd of May 2011. It was conducted by Ms. Sonia Herndier, a volunteer teacher from Canada. She trained the preschool teachers how to teach through activities. Apart from this the teachers received more than a month long training in order to increase their English Language skills.

July and August; On 1st of July a cake in the shape of a maple leaf was cut to celebrate the Canada Day. The students of Rose Preschools enjoyed the event happily.

July is the month for the Second Term Examinations. After sitting for common exams students have enjoyed a month long vacation.

At the beginning of the vacation, English Day was celebrated by Domino’s Early Childhood Education Centre and Bharathiyar Preschool, Malwatta with cultural and fun filled events. Students received Certifications for their achievement and Prizes. The guests have not failed to show their awe of seeing the preschooler’s performance.
September and October; A one day workshop trip was arranged for the preschool teachers where they have seen the functioning and the administration of a “Model School” a small Town in Badulla District. Here they have studied and observed the methods carried out by the principal and teachers of a “Model School”.

November and December; December is the month for the third and the final term assessment of the year.
An event to celebrate the preschool day and the Graduation of the UKG students of Rose Preschools takes place. Students perform and show their talents to bring the event to a maximum delight. The Domino’s Early Childhood and Education Centre celebrate its graduation with a touch of Christmas. Along with the Certifications students receive Medal of Graduation and Prizes.
Challenges; Preschool education is almost a new trend in education in most of the parts where Rose Charities have been working with. A complete awareness of the importance of preschool education is yet to come. Some parents do not take the Early Childhood Care and Education seriously and fail to show the utmost interests in their child’s preschool education.
Irregularities in attendance are the main challenge to the Teachers.

Repeated Government elections and examinations in the entire of Srilanka caused closing of schools and offices. As a result of this there are temporary delays and holds in the scheduled activities.

Unexpected events of nature such as heavy rain and flooding caused closure of schools and related activities.
The Media; There were few news releases in the local media about the program. Local and National newspapers such as ‘Thinakkural’, ‘Thinakaran’, ‘Metro News’ and ‘Veerakesari’ have written feature articles on the projects. Also there have been news blogs in community based websites such as www.karaitivu.com, www.karaitivunews.com and www.kalasem.com.

The following are examples of positive reactions from beneficiaries and government authorities that were quoted in the media;

• At an awareness program held in Malwatta for the preschool parents, Mr.V.T.Sahathevarajah (Assistant Director of Education for Early Childhood Education) and Dr. Hilmy (Medical Officer of Health-Sammanthurai) who have participated as resource personnel have praised Rose Charity for its good quality work in education towards that community.

• At an event where school materials and uniform clothing were donated to the children in a Girls Foster home in Kolavil under Alaiyadivembu Divisional Secretariat division, Mr.V.Jegatheesan (Divisional Secretary) has mentioned that he always admires the service rendered by Rose Charities in these areas.

• In his guest addressing, at the English Day event held at the Domino’s Preschool Mr. M.T.A. Thowfik (Zonal Director of Education) said that,“…I am glad to see the performance of these small children, some of whom are from under privileged areas where it will take a lot of effort to bring these children forward, the appreciation goes to Rose Charities.”

Appreciation Letters; There were some appreciation letters from officials (government and or non-government) that we are working with. The following are some examples of positive reactions quoted in the letters;

• In a letter of appreciation by A.L.Sakkaff, Assistant Director of Education for preschools recognized the services of RCSL through its preschool system. He also praised the significance of preschool education and extracurricular activities.

Community Engagement; In order to engage the community effectively, Rose Preschools of Rose Charities maintain a relationship with community based organizations belong to government as well as non government sectors such as Human Rights Commission of Kalmunai and Ampara region, Save the Children, World Vision, Department of Police – Srilanka, Divisional Secretaries, Children Rights Commission, Probation and Child Care, Department of Education, Department of Health, Rural Development Societies and Women Rural Development Organizations.

And Conclusion:
In Overall; Analysis of data shows that there is a percentage…

• Increase in number of children who are able to identify objects and colors.
• Increase in number of children who are familiar with the Tamil alphabet, English alphabet and numbers.
• Increase in number of children that show interest in education, reading, writing, drawing, and coloring.
• Increase in identification of talents among preschool children.
• Increase in a preschool child’s social activity, extracurricular activity and comprehensive ability.
• Improvement in a preschool child’s behavior.
• Positive change in observed behavior pattern.
• Increase in number of children who are interested in doing school work and doing school work at home.
• Increased in number of parents interested in their child’s educational development.

The Test/Evaluation of the Student Shows;

• Increase in number of students scoring more than 50 marks in each test and or evaluation.

• An average of 37 students scored less than 50 marks in tests and or evaluations. This is 13% of the total students. When comparing the initial evaluation this fall is 9% of the total students.

• An average of 225 students scored more than 50 marks in tests and or evaluations. This is 81% of the total students. When comparing the initial evaluation this rise is 18% of the total students.

Through Rose Sri Lanka’s Preschool Support Program;

• 75% of preschool students have an observed development in behavior.
• 87% of preschool students show interest in art activities at school.
• 81% of preschool students are now interested in doing school work after school.
• 78% of preschool students have achieved new skills.
• 92% of preschool students have improved their language skills.
• 55% of parents believe that the English Immersion program is excellent and 38% believe it is good.
• 70% of parents believe that the school environment is suitable for Early Childhood Education.
• 68% of parents believe that parents teachers interaction is excellent.

The ECCE program that is offered by Rose Preschools of Rose Charities Srilanka is regarded highly in the whole region by the educational community due to its enrichment. The children are given the opportunity to develop early in their life equipping them to be very successful as they go through the school system. The program is recognized to the extent that good schools in the region are giving preference to the children who have gone through the program. Last year 92% of the students graduated from the Rose Preschools have been assimilated by popular schools in the area.

By
Rajeeshan Shanmugalingam
Programme Co-ordinator
Rose Charities Srilanka

It is almost the end of another school year for RCSL’s Early Childhood Care and Education Program!!

At the concluding stages of 2011, about 250 Preschoolers are getting geared up for graduation from Early Childhood Education Program by the ROSE Preschools. This program will ease their way in to primary schooling from next year. For them, it has been an excellent and enjoyable experience in the past two or more years with the carefully designed learning and extracurricular activities of Rose Preschools.

With the 7 preschools which had been established in 2010 and another seven Preschools started in 2011, there are 14 preschools from Kalmunai and Sammanthurai Education Zones in Ampara district with more than 600 children of age 3 to 6 getting access to the Preschool Education under the Rose ECHCE program funded by the OPTIMUS/SWISS Foundation.

Expectantly, in the future Rose Charities Srilanka is setting up the intent, in due course, to increase the number of Preschools in order to enhance access to some form of ECCE to as many children as possible from low income families of Ampara and Batticaloa Districts either through pre-school for the lucky few, or through support programs.

A total of about 32 committed teachers who have been received trainings and the skills in the art of joyful learning dedicate their time with the help of the supervisory staff, coordinators and the remarkable guidance of the Chief Executive Officer Mr. Anthony Richard at the helm.