Youth Exchange Programme , Sri Lanka
NPS International School was awarded with the Global Understanding for Sustainable Development Award during the Youth Exchange programme-2017 between Sri Lanka and India ,from 28th August to 5th September 2017 . The award was for the contribution of the School in creating awareness among the masses, especially the youths, in fulfilling the sustainable development goals of the United Nations . The award was presented by National Youth Services Council, Ministry of National Policies and Economic Affairs, Government of Sri Lanka. This Ministry is headed by the Prime Minister of Sri Lanka.
Students of NPS International School were a part of a 30 member Indian delegation which included some of the leading schools of the country, including Maharani Gayatri Devi School, Jaipur and schools from Tamil Nadu and Maharashtra. NPS International School was awarded for its commendable work in Assam on 5 UN sustainable development goals out of 17 . The 5 goals taken up by NPS are: Good Health and well being, Quality Education, Clean Water and sanitation, Climate action and Partnership to achieve the goals . NPS had participated in this exchange programme as a result of the last mentioned SDG of the UN. Mr Roshan Jayasuria, Assistant Director, International Youth Relation Division, National Youth Service Council, Sri Lanka congratulated the NPS students for their contribution in popularising the goals of the UN among the masses, especially the youth. The award carries a wooden plaque along with a certificate from the Sri Lankan Ministry of National Policies and Economic Affairs.
Mr. J.N.Das, Founder Chairman of NPS appreciated the efforts of the Indian and Sri Lankan govt. for conducting this Youth Exchange programme. He also lauded the stringent method of screening the students in Sri Lanka for various competitions and national /international level programmes . The selection procedure begins from village level to the National level. He mentioned that the Student Parliament Programme of Sri Lanka is something to be emulated by our country. It provides an opportunity to the student representatives to have an open dialogue with the Policy makers on the plans and policies pertaining to the development of their country.
It is interesting to note that Sri Lanka shares a lot of similarity with India, particularly with Assam. The food habits , craft, culture , tea gardens, spice cultivation farms and even certain words in their language are very similar to that of Assam. The terrain and weather conditions are also same. Therefore the students felt it was home away from home.
The visiting students also took part in various activities, including participation in different high-profile seminars organised in that country. Participating in a seminar, conducted by Mr Kusala Fernando, Principal of Prince Wales College, Sri Lanka, attended by many educational experts from that country, the NPS students got to know about the various initiatives taken by the Sri Lankan Government for improvement of educational system in that country.
As a part of the visit, the NPS students were also taken to some of the prominent institutions of educational importance, including Prince Wales College of Sri Lanka. NPS students also visited Parliament House of Sri Lanka. They also held a group discussion with the Additional Secretary of the Ministry of National Policies and Economic Affairs Mr KAS Keeragala regarding policies for youth development in Sri Lanka and its implementation.