MJF Charitable Foundation – Blog
Business is a matter of human service

The special education project was launched in 22 schools in Division 2 of the Nuwara Eliya Education zone in Talawakelle in May 2010.

The objective of the project is to provide opportunity for nearly 950 students of the 22 schools who will be sitting for the GCE O/L examination in December 2010 to prepare themselves adequately through mock exams held at all 22 schools from May to November in Maths, English and Science and thereby achieving a higher pass level at the GCE O/L examination..

The text papers are set by a group of Teachers and the papers are printed and distributed each month in keeping in line with the general examination procedures.

The 1^st exam was held on 24^th and 25^th May and future exams will continue to be held during the 3rd Tuesdays and Wednesdays of each month till November.

The MJF team visited some of the schools in Kotagala and Talawakelle whilst the June exams were in progress and had brief discussions with the Principals, Teachers in Charge and some students. The Principal of St. Patricks College Talawakelle Fr. Leonard was of profound appreciation of the imitative of the Foundation and further stated that this was the 1^st time a private institution has come forward with a very practical programme to improve the quality of education of plantation children although there are many NGOs already working in the plantations with various projects and programmes. Similar sentiments were expressed by the Principals of Cambridge College Kotagala – Mr. C Gnanapragasam and Mrs. Vethanayagam the Principal of Kotagala TMV.

Sriharan a GCE O/L student of St. Patricks College said “Maths is a subject which could be perfected only through continuous practice of sums and formulas. The initiative of the MJF Foundation, in giving us opportunities to sit for 7 mock exams from May to December will definitely give us an abundance of such practice and confidence to face the final exam in December.”  

Jacintha also a student of St. Patricks College was of the view that although they do their revisions and prepare themselves for the December exams, the moment they enter the exam hall they are all tensed and tend to forget what they prepared. But with this support by MJF in arranging very competitive mock exams over a period of 7 months, will relieve us of any such tensions and face the final exams with confidence. She further stated that “ we are indeed fortunate to have had this opportunity and will certainly make maximum use of it and produce the results expected of our teachers and thereby justify the initiatives taken by MJF and also will justify the need for continuity of similar support towards plantations  childrens education in the future.”

All Principals and teachers assured of producing better results this year at the GCE O/L exam. A majority of students were aiming at getting an “A” in Maths.

The Foundation will be closely monitoring the progress thought the next 6 months and will report comparative results of each mock exam and will also encourage the teachers to pay special attention of the weaker students in order to achieve the overall expected performance by all students.

This special project is implemented in collaboration with friends of Dilmah in Norway the Noramix Group and covers 22 school in the division. Almost all students attached to these schools are from the plantations in Kotagala, Dimbulla, Talawakelle, Lindula and Watagoda areas.

Nearly 40 differently able children from the MJF Groups Kahawatte Plantations and another 30 – 35 from the surrounding villages of the plantations in Nawalapitiya will be trained in performing arts in 3 Centres within the plantations. This special programme will be commenced in August by MJFCF in collaboration with Sunera Foundation. 

The project introductory meeting for the Plantation Managers and health staff was held at Nawalapitiya on the 14^th of June.

“Merrill J. Fernando Challange Trophy” the Annual Cricket Match for the Visually Handicapped took place on the 6th of May 2010 at the NCC Cricket Stadium this year too played between the School for the Deaf and Blind – Monaragala vs Rajarata Jayaviru Sevana – Anuradhapura.

This annual event that coincides with the Settlor’s birthday is considered a special event by the Students of the Deaf & Blind School – Monaragala.

The teams were invited by the MJF Charitable Foundation this year too along with their supports to take part in this event.

You will see in the attached photos the Monaraga team attired in Green and the Anuradhapura in Black.

Whilst compeering was handled by a Student and the Principal of the School Umpiring and Scoring were done by professionals qualified in Cricket for the Visaually Handicapped appointed by the Federation of the Visually Handicapped.

The Match was won by the Deaf & Blind School – Monaragala for the 3rd consercutive time and they inharrited the Challenge Trophy this year.  The award ceremoney began with the differently abled children singing “Happy Birthday to the Settlor”.

Best Player B1 was won by Deshapriya, Best Player B2 was won by …… and the Best Player for B3 was won by Manuka from the Monaragala team.

The winners walked away not only with lots of gifts and sports items but also a Schol for the Captain Deshapriya who have entered the University (the 1st ever student to enter the University from this School) from the MJF Charitable Foundation, whilst the Anuradhapura team walked aways with consolation prices for the entire team.