THE HISTORY OF CATHOLIC EDUCATION IN COLOMBO
BY SHIRLEY TISSERA
The Ten leading catholic schools in Colombo, who are responsible for the great educational standards reached by catholic schools
1) ST BENEDICT’S COLLEGE – KOTAHENA – FOUNDED 1865.
The mother of catholic education in Colombo, the oldest catholic educational Institute in Colombo. St Benedict’s Holds the undisputed position of the trend setter in Catholic education and has contributed immensely towards the establishment and development of other catholic schools.
2) GOOD SHEPHERD CONVENT – KOTAHENA – FOUNDED – 1869
The second school established by the Catholic Church, the first school for girls.
3) ST JOSEPH’S COLLEGE – GRANDPASS – FOUNDED 1876
The third school and second Boys school established by the Catholic Church .
4) ST LUCIA’S COLLEGE – COLOMBO 13 – FOUNDED 1880.
The fourth School and third Boys school was St Lucia’s in Kotahena, which was established to satisfy the demand for good education.
5) ST JOSEPH’S COLLEGE – COLOMBO 10 – FOUNDED 1892
The fifth catholic school established and the fourth for Boys. – FOUNDED – 1892 as a branch of St Benedict’s College Kotahena and then moved in 1896 to the present location in Colombo 10, Many teachers and students transferred from St Benedict’s to give St Joseph’s a grand start.
6) ST BRIDGETS CONVENT – COLOMBO 7- FOUNDED – 1902.
The sixth school and the second Girls school established to meet a growing demand for quality education.
7) HOLY FAMILY CONVENT – COLOMBO 4 -FOUNDED – 1903
The Seventh catholic school and the third school established for Girls
8) ALL SAINTS COLLEGE – COLOMBO 10 – FOUNDED – 1904
The Eight catholic school and the fourth Girls school established by the church.
9) DE LA SALLE COLLEGE – COLOMBO 15 – FOUNDED 1905
The ninth catholic school and the sixth Boys school
10) ST PETERS COLLEGE – COLOMBO 04 – FOUNDED – 1922
The tenth catholic school and the seventh Boys school established the Founder Rector was an Old Benedictine Rev Fr Nicholas Perera who served for over 20 years.
