The Technical College is the only reputed institution which provides high quality technical education free of charge, in Bandarawela. The college is situated within a lovely environment, with a large lake nearby, where students can thrive in a healthy environment.
The first institution for formal Technical education in Sri Lanka was established in the latter part of 1893. This Institution was originated from the Government Technical School at Maradana. A significant feature of the growth of Technical Colleges is that, 31 out of 32 Technical Institutes in the country were established after Independence.
Technical College, Bandarawela, commenced in 1987, as a branch of the Technical College, Maradana, with 45 students housed within three buildings. Since then, it has produced many students, who have excelled and attained high positions locally and overseas, and won the District Productivity Certificate in 2008.
At present, they have nearly 400 students and 35 academic staff, along with 30 non academic staff. The present principal is Sisira Kumara Punchibandara.
The College is well equipped with modern workshops and the training offered is of such high standard that it is second to none.
Technical College, Bandarawela, offers a range of short term and long term courses for school-leavers who have not qualified for higher studies, yet keen on advancing their knowledge and skills. It offers more than 13 useful courses such as Draftsman, Motor Mechanism, Electronics, Electrical, Carpentry, Lathe Machine, Welding, Auto A/C, Computing and English (NCE) courses to hone their skills. The Lecturer panel is highly qualified in their respective fields.
From 2010, the College, with the assistance of the Korean Government (KOICA), introduced a new Three-wheeler Mechanism Course, with two volunteer Korean instructors conducting classes for the above course.
Recently, it introduced a number of new courses for Job seekers, such as English for job seekers, Information Technology (IT), Electronics and Electricals, to be conducted as a 6-month academic programme.
The students who complete their GCE (OL) or (AL) can apply for the above courses. A special feature in this programme is that an allowance of Rs 1,000 is provided to students from households with a monthly income less than Rs 7,500, for a season ticket.
Students who complete any of the above courses are awarded a recognised NVQ (National Vocational Qualification) certificate.
Technical College, Bandarawela encourages students not only in Technical studies, but also in extracurricular activities and social services, to face the challenges of the future. They organise students to conduct the Tuesday assembly on their own with various activities, coupled with "Shramadana Campaigns" in hospitals and schools. Every month, students also organise "Career Guidance and Counseling Programmes" in three schools. The annual Sports Meet and English Day programmes are the two big events that are organized on a grand scale by the College.
Higher Education is the most important contribution to success in our lives. Therefore, it is very important that both parents and students decide on a well planned pathway and the Technical College, Bandarawela will endeavour to fulfill the long standing requirements of the students.
-Sujitha Miranda |
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