Historical pirivena caters to modern education needs

Jagath Amarasinghe, Wayamba Roving Corr.

The Gokarella Polgolla Shastraravinda Pirivena is a prestigious seat of learning which has earned fame not only in Wayamba but throughout the length and breath of Sri Lanka today.

Chief Sanghanayake Thera of Ihala Dolos Pattuwa Ven. Rambukwelle Pragnasara has dedicated himself to the development and welfare of this institution since 1941.

The Polgolla Shastraravinda Pirivena is situated near the 10th milepost on the Kurunegala - Dambulla road. Its precursor was the Pingalpotta Raja Maha Vihara started at this location in 1740 under the sponsorship of king Kirthi Sri Rajasinghe. This factor gives the place much historical significance. Shastraravinda Nayake Thera's 'guru' the Ven. Udathammita Wimalasara Thera.

Ven Pragnasara started off in a small way by launching a pre-school for children of low income families in the area. Today due to his untiring efforts this institution has blossomed into a full fledged educational institution with classes up to Grade 13.

Ven. Pragnasara was also instrumental in obtaining the services of a qualified tutorial staff which today comprises a large number foreign and locally qualified graduates. Peradeniya, Colombo and Kelaniya university graduates are among some of the staff members providing quality education to their charges at this institution.

Shastraravinda Pirivena which has nearly 1,700 students on its roll has a separate section for girls known as Devapala Vidyalaya. The tutorial staff of this section comprises exclusively women graduates.

Nearly 70 pupil bhikkhus are studying at this seat of learning in the two languages. The institution has separate sections for Science, Arts, Mathematics, Commerce and Fine Arts providing education up to G.C.E. Advanced Level in both language streams. The tutorial staff has a complement of nearly 100 teachers. The Ayurveda section is a separate entity in this institution with nearly 150 students.

There is also an external degree section with nearly 100 students, a Fine Arts Section with 250 students. Since late the institution has started a separate unit for hearing and visually impaired and disabled children.

A separate qualified teaching staff of nearly 30 members have been deployed to impart education to these students. Students at Shastraravinda Pirivena have been able to enjoy free education.

This Pirivena which has now launched a systematic technical section and a computer section also conducts separate classes for elders. Lately a Vocational Training Centre was started here for school dropouts who have failed the G.C.E. Ordinary Level examination. A self-employment placement section conducts workshops and awareness programs for unemployed women to help them launch self-employment programs and improve their living standards. Sinhala, Tamil, English, Pali, Sanskrit, Hindi and French are among the languages taught here.