An international preschool on a two-acre organic plantation
Our ethos
play. learn. grow.
Good Dharma School, located on Dharmarama Road, occupies a two-acre organic vegetable plantation, just one kilometer from Ahangama Beach. Our Preschool opened in the beginning of November ‘23, with plans for a primary school in ‘25. Operating as a 'green school,' it places nature at the forefront, serving as both teacher and classroom. We warmly invite you to enrol your child in this wholesome journey.
A new beginning
international. school. ahangama.
At Good Dharma School, we believe that nature is the perfect classroom, ultimately nurturing the social and emotional development of each child. Through outdoor exploration, hands-on activities, organic gardening and ecological philosophy; we empower our little learners to become stewards of nature. Our student-led program is designed to assist in the development of creativity, critical thinking, problem solving, communication and mindfulness.
Key pillars
Sustainable
By spending most our time outside and in our organic veggie garden, we are deepening the connection to nature and the importance of preserving it for future generations.
Child-led
We prioritise a child-led learning approach by allowing our students to drive their educational experiences based on their unique interests, strengths and learning styles.
Holistic
Our curriculum extends beyond traditional academics to encompass emotional intelligence, social skills, physical well-being and creative expression.
Nature-based
Our nature-based classes encompass a variety of activities, including organic gardening, nature mapping, weather observations and outdoor building.
Programs
Preschool
Our signature preschool program offers a unique and valuable opportunity for your child to connect with the natural world whilst enhancing their cognitive and physical development. They will experience a curriculum of nature-based art, storytelling, music, science, cooking and more. Our qualified international teachers approach each new day with an objective and every class plan with a purpose.
Primary School
Looking forward, as Good Dharma evolves, we have ambitious plans to establish a primary school that will uphold the same ethos as our preschool, welcoming children up to the age of 11 years. Our current estimate is to be fully open to accept children for primary school in 2025.
“Good Dharma School is situated on a two-acre organic vegetable farm in Ahangama. The children are immersed in the entire process of growing vegetables, herbs and plants —from seed to harvest. Our aim for this founding year is to have 50% of the food prepared within the grounds to have come directly from the land.”
The Good Dharma Family
Minza Usman
Head Teacher
Minza Usman was born and raised in Sri Lanka, where she attended Ladies College, Colombo, and the Overseas School of Colombo, earning her International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma. She later pursued a BA and MA in History and Liberal Arts Education in the United States.
With over 25 years of experience in international education, Minza has worked as a teacher, administrator, and global workshop leader for the International Baccalaureate Organization (IBO). Her extensive work with adults and children from diverse cultural and socio-economic backgrounds has strengthened her commitment to fostering intercultural understanding and respect.
As a mother of two daughters who attended international schools, Minza understands the unique challenges and advantages of adapting to different learning environments. She believes in blending traditional and non-traditional approaches to enrich student engagement and learning outcomes.
Having returned to her roots in Sri Lanka after years abroad, Minza finds joy in being back in the land that "feeds her soul," where she can immerse herself in the island’s natural beauty. She is excited to be part of Good Dharma's evolving journey and looks forward to contributing to the school’s growth and success.
Sachi
Operations Manager / Lead Teacher
Sachi has a National Diploma in Preschool Education alongside her perfect O & A level exams. Prior to joining us at Good Dharma School, she had been working as a preschool teacher in Galle Montessori for four years. Additionally, she has participated in a 3 month preschool study program in Singapore.
Sachi also grew up in Ahangama, close to Good Dharma School, where she helped her parents in their organic veggie plantation to grow everything from okras, tomatoes and chillies to mangos, bananas and papayas. Sachi is beyond excited to be joining us at Good Dhama School and facilitating the nature-based learning programs. She can’t wait to weave her passion for dancing, art, craft and knowledge of organic farming into her classes.
Phaba
Pre School Teacher
Pabasara Kudagama is 24 years old and has passed both the Ordinary Level and Advanced Level Examinations with flying colors. She completed a Foundation Certificate in Child Services and a Diploma in Child Care Management through Mother's Touch International Academy, Nawala, both of which are approved by the Australian Children's Education & Care Quality Authority. Pabasara gained valuable experience studying at a school in Colombo. She began her teaching career at Mother's Touch International School, Nawala, and has also worked at Bankhill Educare in Battaramulla and Happy Kids Montessori in Galle. Currently, she has been working at Good Dharma International School since November 2023 and is delighted to be part of the Good Dharma Family in her hometown. In addition to her academic achievements, Pabasara has participated in competitions in speech, debate, singing, drama, and chess.
Malsha
Lead Pre School Teacher
Malsha Dananji started teaching in 2018. She holds a strong academic background with outstanding results in both her O/L and A/L exams. Over the past six years, she has gained significant experience as a certified preschool teacher, including almost a year of teaching at Good Dharma. Her career has also taken her to Bluebell International Pre-School in Ahangama and Genius Kids Pre-School in Habaraduwa, where she has taught in both international and national settings.
Malsha has a passion for arts and crafts, especially creating projects with the children using natural materials. This hands-on approach helps foster creativity and environmental awareness in her students. In her personal time, Malsha enjoys reading, which helps her continuously grow and enrich her teaching methods by incorporating stories and new ideas into the classroom.
Natasha
Trainee Pre School Teacher
Nathasha de Silva has successfully completed her O/L and A/L exams. After her A/L exams, she completed courses in computer science and English listening and speech. Nathasha worked as a lab assistant for two years at ATG Hand Care before deciding to pursue a career in teaching. She completed a diploma in preschool education at an international institute and has also undergone leadership and personality development training. Currently, she is at Good Dharma School to complete her training period for her diploma and expresses a desire to continue her teaching journey with Good Dharma even after her training. In terms of hobbies, Nathasha enjoyed playing volleyball in school and now loves swimming. She also enjoys making music and dancing with children.
Samira Islamagic
Lead Pre School Teacher
Samira was born and raised in Germany. After completing her studies in Early Childhood Education, which included experience in an alternative forest kindergarten, theater education, and creative project-based learning, she pursued yoga training in India in March 2024. In April 2024, she relocated to Sri Lanka for the second time.
Samira has extensive experience working with people of all ages, from kindergarten and primary school children to adults. Her most recent role was as a leader in a residential group for children with disabilities in a children's home. Over the last few months, she has gained experience as a preschool teacher at ABC Arugam Bay College in Sri Lanka, where she runs her own class for children aged 5 to 6 years.
She believes in a holistic educational model that centers on the child and their resources, focusing on nurturing and developing what the child already brings to the school. With her yoga background and eight years of extensive dance practice in her youth, she hopes to add fun and interactive body movement to Good Dharma as well as art and creative subjects. Another passion is food and the sharing of moments based around the eating experience, a mission she has is to get the kids more involved in the cooking and eating experience.
Gowrie Ponniah
Advisor
Gowrie has diverse experience working alongside the Sri Lankan Government, NGO’s and a variety of international donors within her role as a ‘Senior Social and Business Development Specialist’. Her work is centred around the development of workers’ rights, skill training programs, management of economic rehabilitation after conflict and natural disasters, as well as supporting special needs education and capacity building within mental health patients. Gowrie has raised two children of her own in the Sri Lankan school system and has navigated it from start to finish, twice over. We are grateful to have Gowrie bring her knowledge and passion forth to help make Good Dharma School the best environment not only for our little ones but also for the local community.
Emma Wijayasinghe
Cover Teacher + Curriculum & Teacher Development
Not only is Emma a mum of two and a local legend, she is also the most lovely human being and a good friend of Good Dharma School. At present, Emma and her family are sharing their time between Ahangama, where they run a guesthouse, and Dubai where she is a full-time preschool teacher. Due to her long life experience in the preschool environment, Emma is an integral part of our advisory board and brings nothing short of vast knowledge, immense love and good humour to Good Dharma School.
Chandra
Gatekeeper
Chandra is our lovely auntie at the gate, but she is so much more than that. While she keeps perfect memory of all the children and families in the premises she also love to play with the children. She is helping Anura a lot in the garden and truly has green hands. You will meet Chandra every day, and often she will run the organic Good Dharma market stall where you can purchase fresh veggies straight from our plantation.
Anura
Gardener
Anura grew up inland Ahangama, close to Good Dharma School, where his family has been rice farming for 7 generations. As a result, Anura’s inherent love for organic rice farming goes far and wide. In 1916, when his grandfather took over the family plantation, he also inherited the traditional organic techniques used by his ancestors. However, when it was his father’s time to lead the plantation, in the 70s, the government introduced fertilisers to Sri Lankan farmers. This new way of farming was explored by the family until 2021 when, under Anura’s leadership, they decided to return to their roots by readapting to 100% organic production.
Anura believes that it will take some time for the paddy to completely return to its original abundance; however, on a personal level, he is already feeling a lot healthier and happier as a result. It is a true blessing to be working closely with Anura at Good Dharma School and we love to find him deep in the dirt or amidst the abundant daily harvest, where he is happiest.
Petter & Linn + Seddy & Phoebe
The Founders
We are a group of friends in our thirties whose collective curiosity for life in the tropics brought us to Ahangama some 10 years ago. Over the years, we’ve established various businesses and passion projects across the South Coast, The Kip, Sunshine Stories, Ceylon Sliders are a few.
In 2020, life on the Island as we knew it changed considerably when we welcomed little August (Augi) and Ophelia (Opi) into the world. Although we have lived here for a decade, we came to understand that raising our kids in a foreign country would be new territory to navigate. As they grew into toddlers and we into parents, we discovered a need to offer a new kind of learning environment—not only for our children but for the community. We wanted to create a space for little humans to grow in harmony with their environment and their community.
Together, we made plans to offer a new kind of education that we did not yet have access to on the Island—one that focuses on hands-on learning experiences like growing vegetables, being involved in cooking within a communal kitchen and participating in workshops hosted by various musicians and artists—all of which are held in a nature-based environment. Overall, we wanted to provide a safe and educational space that allows our children to thrive in self awareness, particularly under the leadership and inspiration of the best teachers and humans we could find.
Pretty quickly after the purpose and ethos of our new preschool was unearthed, we stumbled upon the most amazing two-acre property on Dharmarama Road. The dream soon manifested into the reality that is now Good Dharma School.
Our team is growing and we are always looking for qualified international teachers
