The Department of Chemistry at the University of Sri Jayewardenepura recently organized an Advanced Level (A/L) teacher training program in response to a request from the Ministry of Education. Held on the 30th of November and 1st of December 2024, this two-day initiative was designed to enhance the knowledge and skills of A/L school teachers in conducting chemical laboratory experiments effectively, with the overarching goal of improving the teaching and learning of chemistry concepts. Practical laboratory experiments are integral to understanding the theoretical concepts of chemistry. By engaging in hands-on activities, students can connect abstract ideas with real-world applications, fostering a deeper appreciation and comprehension of the subject.
The training sessions were conducted by an esteemed panel of resource persons from the Department of Chemistry, including Prof. M. A. B. Prashantha, Dr. Tharindu Senapathi (Physical Chemistry Lab), Dr. Upul Kumarasighe, Dr. Chandima Narangoda (Organic Chemistry Lab), Dr. Asitha Cooray, and Dr. Samindi Jayawickrama (Inorganic Chemistry Lab). The program was coordinated with the Ministry of Education by Dr. Laksiri Weerasighe under the guidance of the Head of the Department, Prof. C. D. Jayaweera, whose leadership was instrumental in ensuring the success of the initiative.
A total of 65 Sinhala medium A/L teachers participated in the program, which featured detailed demonstrations of key experiments in the A/L curriculum. The sessions also included troubleshooting common laboratory issues, maintaining safety standards, and employing modern teaching aids to maximize student engagement.
The Department of Chemistry received overwhelmingly positive feedback from both the participants and the Ministry of Education. The teachers appreciated the high-quality training and expressed their satisfaction with the practical knowledge and innovative techniques they gained. The Ministry of Education has also shown interest in organizing similar training sessions in the future, highlighting the program’s success and its potential to create a lasting impact on chemistry education in Sri Lanka.
