Annual Report 2025, Dr. Reijntjes School for the Deaf in Sri Lanka

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Annual Report 2025, Dr. Reijntjes School for the Deaf in Sri Lanka

Annual Report 2025, Dr. Reijntjes School for the Deaf in Sri Lanka

The new school year began in January 2025 with 23 students (11 boys and 12 girls). The school staff consisted of 13 people: the director, principal, vice principal, 4 teachers, IT manager, matron, dance teacher, accountant, cook, and gardener. Six new students joined in the first trimester.

Mr. Thomas and Mrs. Marion from Germany came on January 15, to bring new hearing aids for our students. This year, they brought many extra devices for a large group of deaf past students, who had travelled from remote villages to Moratuwa that day. It felt like a mini-reunion.

In February, Mudithe (director) and Pathum (IT manager) flew to Dubai for a workshop. After that they went to the University of Singapore, and later to the University of Bangkok, for a research program for the deaf (deaf glasses) in which they are actively involved.

At the end of February, Simon from Netherlands brought a few delicious cakes to celebrate his birthday. He has been a sponsor of our deaf school for the past 35 years.

March 5 felt a bit like a reunion. It was the birthday of the founder/principal, Mrs. Tineke de Silva. This year, too, the day was celebrated very exuberantly with the students, alumni, and staff members.

A Health Camp was organized on March 6 at the temple, near our school. Our director, Mudithe, was one of the organizers. We went there with the staff members and deaf students. Everyone received an eye test. With this data, we visited an optician the next day. A few of the students urgently needed glasses!

Four of our students took the O/Level exam (MAVO) from March 17 to 25. On March 26, we celebrated their farewell. Two of the parents gave an emotional speech. Oshini had been at our school for 13 years, Shehan for 11 years, and Chamalka and Kavishka both for 9 years. They all lived in the school hostel and spent more time at school than at home! 

We held the New Year’s games day on April 2nd. Mala (the cooking teacher) had made all the special snacks with the students, that are always served on this occasion. It was a cheerful celebration once again; the “fancy dress show” was particularly well received!

After the April New Year’s break, our dance teacher organized a special children’s day on May 1st in our school garden for her dance groups, together with our deaf students. A total of 200 children were present, dancing, singing, and playing games. It was a colorful event. At the end, everyone received a snack, a drink, and a small gift.

The Vesak celebration (Buddhist festival) was on May 12th. We had once again made beautiful lanterns with the students, and all the buildings were decorated with them. The students went home for a long weekend to celebrate this festival in their villages as well.

On May 30th, our Vice Principal Mala said goodbye to the school after having worked here for 37 years. Her family members and a few acquaintances were also present. We had prepared a wonderful program, concluding with a joint lunch. Piumi became our new vice principal.

On Sunday, June 1st, a group of deaf alumni, together with the staff members, organized a reunion. It turned out to be a very special day with more than a hundred past students and teachers! There were many speeches, old photos, old film clips, and of course, all the memories. There was a buffet lunch. Afterwards, current students played nostalgic cricket together with the alumni. Most stayed to chat until late in the afternoon.

On June 15th, the new Vocational Training Program: Photography – Videography – Drone Pilot, started at our deaf school. A group of alumni from our school for the deaf and from other schools for the deaf had signed up; there were a total of 19 participants. Mudithe (our director), who had obtained this diploma himself over the past year, taught the classes, with support for the practical lessons from people from “Camera.lk”. Many of the participants already had extensive experience with photography, but lacked sufficient knowledge and a diploma. Especially for deaf people, a recognized diploma is of great importance to be taken seriously. The duration of the course is 10 months.

On September 4, the NVQ Graphic Design Diploma ceremony took place for 5 of our former students: Pathum, Kaveesha, Ushan, Dileep, and Dinuka. Pathum is our IT Instructor, and the other 4 work as designers in the Graphic Industry.

On September 17, we went to the zoo in Dehiwala with all students and staff members. For a group of the students, it was their first visit. In recent years, the zoo has been completely renovated, and it now looks like a beautiful park.

On October 12, Dr. Suleesha Perera gave a workshop on dance and music in sign language. She presented it in a very unique way, keeping our students and staff members captivated for 2 hours. After the break, she played language games in sign language, which was also very surprising.

On October 21, the staff members organized a fun morning for the students with games, a movie, and something tasty with tea.

Ramesh de Silva, a former volunteer from Germany who helped at our school for the deaf for a year, 25 years ago, came to visit for a day with his son and daughter. He is now a German diplomat and has worked in various countries such as Egypt and China.

At the end of November, we received a beautifully decorated Christmas Tree in the school hall from a group of former students. All the pupils thought it was very beautiful.

There was a Parents’ day on December 2, and afterwards, the parents took their children home for the December holidays. The 5 candidates, taking their O/Level exam this coming February, were given extra homework.