Students of rural Galamuduna Kanishta (junior) School, shines at the recent G.C.E. Ordinary Level (O/L) Examination, despite severe resource limitations.

This school falls under the Minipe Divisional Secretariat and located in a rural village within the Knuckles mountain range.

Of the five students who sat for the O/L exam from this under-resourced school, four passed with commendable results. Their achievement comes under the guidance of the school’s only teacher, Janaka Dhanuddhara, who also serves as the principal. He is responsible for teaching all subjects across Grades 1 to 11.

Dhanuddhara, a resident of Mihintale, travels approximately six kilometres on foot every Monday morning to reach the school and remains there until Friday due to the absence of transport and basic facilities in the area.

The school currently has 21 students — 16 girls and 5 boys — and operates without access to internet or reliable mobile connectivity. Students are also without access to additional academic support such as external tuition classes. To reach the nearest learning centres or bus routes, they must walk about 10 kilometres through forested paths where wild elephants are frequently sighted, and then travel a further distance by public transport.

After O/L, these students must now pursue their Advanced Level education at Uda Wela Bandaranaike National School, located approximately 15 kilometres away. Given the socio-economic conditions of the community, this transition presents further challenges, prompting calls from parents and local residents for greater support from education authorities. (With inputs from Lankadeepa and Mawbima)