Closure of the Wesley College hostel

By Dr Nihal D Amerasekera

My father was a government servant and was transferred every four years to towns far away from civilization. Without changing my school every four years, in their wisdom, they decided to send me to the Wesley College boarding. Hence, I was ‘incarcerated’ from 1952-58.

Change in lifestyle can be daunting at first until we fit into the rhythm of community life. Although I never realised it at the time, growing up as an only child, boarding was the best thing that happened to me. Nowadays when both parents work, boarding most certainly relieves pressure on the family.

The school boarding was an institution within an institution. It was a fine residential facility that was often too full. The boarding was well staffed by responsible teachers and a caring Matron. The dormitories were well maintained and kept clean and tidy at all times. There was a large dining hall and a hall for study. A small chapel was used by the Christians every evening. The bathroom facilities were good and adequate.

There were many positive influences of boarding life which helped me enormously in later years. Boarders are ultimately responsible for the actions they take, from organising their weekly calendars to getting their homework done on time. There was strict regimentation and time was designated for every aspect of boarding life including study, sports and fun.

This was all controlled by the ringing of a bell. During study time help was always available from supervising teachers and senior students. Sports was compulsory and I learnt to play cricket, football and many other games. The boarding was a close knit community and we all learnt to be friendly and help each other. The boarding nurtured social skills and provided leadership opportunities. It fostered self-reliance and independence, preparing young people for the future. We formed strong bonds with friends in the boarding, many lasting a lifetime. I look back on those years with fond memories and much joy.

There are several disadvantages too to life as a boarder. As I found, separating young children from their parents is traumatic. I sent my elder son to the boarding at a public school in the UK. The whole family missed him so much we decided to buy a flat opposite the school and live there with him.

Homesickness is endemic in residential facilities. This is something I experienced first-hand and saw the grief it caused in others. They may experience bullying that causes emotional stress. The absence of the loving parental relationship and being in a captive situation not of a child’s choosing can be deeply upsetting. Due to these and the ever-increasing cost of boarding fees, there has been a sharp decline in student boarding worldwide.

Parents living in all parts of the country were able to send their children to Wesley College because of the excellent hostel facilities that were provided. We had children from Jaffna, Batticaloa, Hambantota and the hill country fostering cultural diversity that enriched our lives. The loss of the boarding will prevent many parents living further afield from sending their children to Wesley College.

The boarding has been a part of Wesley College since its very beginning in Dam Street Pettah. During my visits to Wesley College over the years I have seen the decline in the residential facilities. This became more evident in the new millennium. The boarding had become a financial liability which the school could not afford. I wasn’t surprised to see its demise. The boarding closed its doors for the final time in 2019. This indeed brought great sadness to many who have benefitted enormously from this institution.

Many including me believe that the boarding still has a part to play in school life. But the format of the school boarding must change to appeal to the students, parents and to the school management. The boarding age should be increased to include GCE students and the sixth Form. Those are the most important academic years at school.

These older boarders will be in a better position to appreciate and utilise the facilities available for study. They will have the opportunities to be actively involved in extracurricular activities. Parents will be spending less on boarding fees overall as they board for a shorter period until they leave school. The student numbers will be smaller. The space required for dormitory facilities will be less. The students will require less supervision.

Fewer teachers will be needed for the smooth running of the organisation. Hopefully this format of boarding confined to senior students will be a financially viable proposition for the managers of the school. Weekly boarding is popular in the UK. Students remain in the boarding from Monday to Friday and return home at the weekend. This too could be available for senior students.

I enjoyed boarding life immensely. It was never a bed of roses but neither was it a bed of nails. I joined as a 10-year old and left as a teenager teetering on adulthood. The early years as a boarder was a challenge. I must confess I appreciated the boarding more in my latter years. The boarding contributed immensely to the fine all-round education I received at Wesley College Colombo. I look forward to the day when a boarding facility will be revived at school, once again.

As I spend my retirement in London there are times when my mind crosses the vast oceans and swathes of land to return to the boarding at Karlsruhe Hill in the land of my birth.