Bogoda Premaratne
 | This article includes a list of general references, but it lacks sufficient corresponding inline citations. (December 2016) |
Bogoda Premaratne | |
|---|---|
| Born | 15 March 1921 Ceylon |
| Died | 26 December 2013 (aged 92) |
| Nationality | Sri Lankan |
| Occupation | Educator |
| Known for | Improving education |
Deshabandhu Bogoda Appuhamilage Premaratne (15 March 1921 – 26 December 2013) was a Sri Lankan youth educator who served in the Sri Lanka Department of Education in various capacities. Beginning as a teacher, he became the principal of secondary education schools and teacher training schools. He ended his civil service career as the Commissioner of Examinations, then served on the Fulbright Scholarships selection committee from 1976 to 1988. He was appointed chair of the Educational Reforms Committee of Sri Lanka in 1980, whose committee report was accepted and subsequently implemented. At the request of Sri Lanka's President, he served as the Secretary of the Ministerial Committee for Education, Cultural and Social Services where he established the research unit for social values at the National Institute of Education of Sri Lanka.[clarification needed]
Early life
Premaratne was born in Ceylon (Sri Lanka) on 15 March 1921, and his elementary school education was in a rural setting. He attended Ananda College and developed an interest in education. He entered the Teacher Training School and trained as a teacher. He obtained his bachelor's degree in London[where?] and his Masters in Education at Columbia University, in New York. He was the first Ceylonese (Sri Lankan) to receive the UNESCO Teachers Education Fellowship.[citation needed]
Career
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His first appointment was in the late 1940s at Kegalle Central. This school was established by the government as a model Nation School (Primary and Secondary) and served as a template for other newly formed institutes. As a teacher trainer he was involved with primary and secondary school curriculum development.
Premaratne was appointed as the principal of Passara Central College for six months, Hanwella Central College for two years, and Giragama Training School for two years. After receiving his master's degree, he became the vice principal at Royal College in 1959. He served in this capacity until 1966.[citation needed] In 1967 he was appointed principal of the college, a position he held until the end of 1971.[1]
Premaratne was appointed as Commissioner of Examinations in 1972.[1] He brought in the concept of standardisation to address inequities in admissions to the universities.[citation needed] He retired from government service in 1976.[1]
Retirement
After his retirement Premaratne served at the United States-Sri Lanka Foundation for Fulbright Scholarship selection from 1976 to 1988. He was appointed to Chair the Educational Reforms Committee of Sri Lanka in 1980, which produced a report accepted and implemented by the government. He left the field in 1989.[1]
Following a Presidential request, he served as the Secretary of the Ministerial Committee for Education, Cultural and Social Services. In this capacity, he established a new ‘Research Unit for the Social Values’ at the National Institute of Education of Sri Lanka.[citation needed] He died on 26 December 2013 at the age of 92.[1]
Recognition
During his tenure, President J. R. Jayewardene proposed that Bogoda Premaratne receive the Deshabandu (National Honours of Sri Lanka, a civil honour awarded by the Government of Sri Lanka). He was duly awarded this honour in May 1989.
Public figure
He authored many books on Buddhism. He also authored books in English such as Dialogues on Dhamma, Enlightenment is your Birth Right, Part 1 – Theory and Enlightenment is your Birth Right, Part 2 – Practice.. He was a popular public speaker on Buddhism. He was a founding member of the Sri Lanka Conference on Religion and Peace, affiliated with the World Conference of Religion and Peace. He served as the Secretary-General of the Asian Conference on Religion and Peace for five years and chaired the National Chapter for many years.
References
- ^ a b c d e "Educationist Bogoda Premaratne passes away". Archived from the original on 27 December 2013. Retrieved 27 December 2013.
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