SponsorING a Teacher in Sri Lanka not only enables the education of the children, but also the empowerment of the teachers
Our preschools need trained teachers to deliver a consistent high-quality education.
We are indebted to our preschool teachers who do an extraordinary job often under challenging circumstances.
OST UK pays the wages of the preschool staff in Sri Lanka. The teachers receive a saree as their uniform and a work bag from Ocean Stars UK.
Our teachers value the support they get from us and most of them have been working with us for several years. They value the regular visits from our staff on the ground. They value the teacher training that we offer them. These events give them the opportunity to network with other teachers and exchange good practice. The teachers also value the visits from volunteers from the UK and look forward to volunteer visits.
Our teachers are pivotal to our vision of empowering children through education. Our teachers stand out amongst the teaching community for their digital skills and for using online tools to submit data. We provide regular training on the use of tablets and to improve the quality of the overall teaching.
Teacher Training
Over the last 7 years, we have been able to conduct residential teacher training events for all our preschool teachers. This event brings together our teachers from all over Si Lanka, some travelling vast distances. For example, our teachers from Colombo City Mission School travel more than 10 hours to attend.
We have been able to organise these events due to the generosity and support of the Fonthill Foundation.
In 2024 our teacher training event focused on our Child Development Programme. High-quality workshops were led by leaders in the field of child psychology and early years learning. The teachers were totally engaged in the 4 days and are always disappointed when the event ends. The teachers value sharing their experiences and ideas, being introduced to innovative teaching methodologies and just spending time networking. In 2024 the teachers also had workshops on yoga for children which now forms part of the daily routine at the preschools.
At the end of the event, each teacher is presented with a certificate or participation and achievement.
Ongoing Professional Development
The ongoing professional development of all the teachers who work at our preschools is embedded in our Child Development Programme.
This is Unitha she has gained her NVQ Level 4 in General Child Care. Unitha works at our preschool in Chenkallady, she really values all the support and training given to her by Ocean Stars Trust. This qualification, will enable her to provide a high standard of Early Years education for the children who attend her preschool.
Sponsorship Changes Teacher's Lives
This is Thishan ahetj Viknaparathy and Sasi Shopana both teachers in the same preschool.
They have been supported by OceaStars for sixteen years. They are both thankful for the help they have received in the preschool, the teacher training and teachers' pay. They are very happy, independent and all their students are doing well in their educational journey.
"Thank you, Ocean Stars, for your support and to my sponsor for paying my wage every month."
This is Bavani and Pathini from Soruwamunai preschool. St Luke's primary school in Brighton has sponsored us since 2008 and we are so happy and thank them so much for helping us an income while we work. Our monthly wage means we can support our family by buying food and clothes for our children. The teacher sponsorship scheme has changed our lives.
Kayalvily, Field Officer in the Bureau in Eravur District says...
My job involves visiting every preschool in our district to make sure they are running according to the standards of the preschool bureau. I always notice a difference when I visit preschools and teachers sponsored by Ocean Stars UK and Lanka. The teachers are always happy and well-motivated. They always teach creatively and have wonderful support from the staff of Ocean Stars Lanka. I would like to thank the UK teacher sponsors as they make a huge difference to the lives of the teachers in our district.
Your sponsorship makes a huge difference and brings not only a smile but a future to a child, whilst giving a teacher a better quality of life.
Want to know the difference sponsorship makes to a teacher Click Here.
It costs £25 a month to provide the best future for a teacher, can be paid monthly or as an annual sum of £300.
Click here to apply online
Not technical, no worries, click here to be able to print a form alternatively contact us here and we'll help you fill one in.
