Success Stories

Opening Doors, Enabling Dreams

Dreams are little steps which when taken lead to achieving the big vision

Haddaththawa is a village in Badulla Sri Lanka, which fascinates people

because of its location. Visitors catch their breath when they stumble
upon this little rural paradise, with its breathtaking natural beauty.

The Haddaththawa Maha Vidyalaya is situated in this idyllic resort. Mr.

Gamini Marasinghe, the Principal, was determined that in these
beautiful surroundings his school would be the best in the area too.
However, a lack of technological expertise was the greatest barrier in
their life.

Mr. Marasinghe kept his eyes open for any new strategies which would
enable him to achieve his goal. He was extremely happy when he was
invited to participate in the Intel Leadership Technology Forum. His
determination did not stop him from traveling 3 hours everyday to
reach the destination.

The forum encouraged the Principal in his pursuit of technology integration

in his school and also showed him the path to achieve his ambition.
Motivated by the desire of integrating technology as a tool to improve
students learning, he wished to initiate Intel Teach Program in the
school and wanted his teachers to pursue the training opportunities.
Being the end of the academic year, it was a tough time for the teachers
as they already had their plates full completing syllabus and preparing

students for the final exams. But, at the request of the principal, the
teachers went out of their way and worked in the computer lab before
and after the school hours. A tremendous support and assistance was
given to the Senior Trainer from Intel education team.

The teachers approached the training very enthusiastically and enjoyed

every minute of it. Technology as a platform had broken the barriers of
education as they knew it. They were learning 21st century skills and
gaining more and more confidence in using technology independently.
As one of the teachers recalls I felt more equipped and confident as a
person also.

The teachers worked hard to complete their training. The Principal

remembers, one day I was disturbed by some noises while sleeping in
the night. It was almost 1 a.m. I went out of the Principals quarters
wondering what all was about. Who was giving lectures in the middle of
the night? I was shocked to see the lights in the Computer Center.
Amazing! The Master Teacher was doing his training at that moment. I
though it was a dream. I pinched myself. No, it was not. I saw a batch
of energized teachers, working with the computers. I was impressed at
the urge that had been created in them.

The training given by Intel to the teachers of Haddaththawa was the

highlight of their teaching career. It was a worthwhile experience which
opened new doors for them. Now these teachers play an effective role
in implementing Project Based Learning (PBL) in the classroom.

The students are equally delighted by the new concepts of teaching and
learning. They are keen to take up projects which they feel will teach
them more than their books ever could. Through group research they
have learnt to think collaboratively and to take their own decisions.

Parents meanwhile, are very happy to see the excitement in the eyes
of their children.

Today the teachers and students of Haddaththawa Maha Vidyalaya walk

into school with a lot more enthusiasm and confidence than earlier. The
opportunity provided to the teachers by Intel has helped them evolve
and work more effectively .

As this school in the beautiful, remote and rural part of Sri Lanka,
continues to dream big, technology has become an integral part in
helping teachers and students to accomplish their goals of growth and
educational excellence.

Mr. Gamini Marasinghe is effusive in his praise of Intel Teach program.

Do I need to say anything more? Thanks to Intel Teach he believes
now his vision of making his school the best in the area will soon come
true