Sri Lanka is often pictured for its calm coastlines and quiet hillsides. But inside its classrooms, the reality has historically been far more turbulent. For generations, the national school system has operated on rote instruction—drilling students to memorize and recite facts to pass exams. In this system, students are taught to recall, but rarely to understand.
This cycle began to shift following the 2004 tsunami, when educator Bhavani Sundar—founder of the ACE (Academics, Creativity, Excellence) Institute—was introduced to the Study Technology of L. Ron Hubbard.
Recognizing the potential to bridge the gap between “parroting” and actual learning, Bhavani traveled to the Applied Scholastics Spanish Lake campus to train extensively in these methodologies. Upon her return, she made Study Technology the foundational pillar of the ACE Institute.
At ACE, the journey begins with the Learning How to Learn curriculum. Students are not just given information; they are given the tools to apply it. By mastering the three barriers to study through demonstrations, drills, and Word Clearing, they regain the ability to grasp any subject.
Remarkable Results: Three Grade Levels in One Year
The impact of this approach was immediate and undeniable. Students who had previously been lagging behind or struggling in the rote-heavy traditional system began to thrive.
In just a single year, students at the ACE Institute progressed an average of three full grade levels.
“Before, I would just try to remember the sounds of the words for the test. Now, I actually know what I am talking about. Learning isn’t a burden anymore; it's something I can actually do.” — ACE Institute Student
To date, Bhavani has personally trained more than 2,700 students through the ACE curriculum, turning "struggling learners" into confident, competent scholars.
A National Partnership for 10,000 Schools
Bhavani knew that the success of her own students was just the beginning. To truly change the future of Sri Lanka, the system itself needed to evolve. She launched a widespread program to instruct educators on the barriers to study, ultimately training over 2,000 teachers and transforming the academic lives of more than 80,000 students.
This grassroots success culminated in a landmark national partnership. The mission has now expanded to bring Study Technology to all 10,000 schools across the island. By replacing rote memorization with the tools for true understanding, Bhavani Sundar and the ACE Institute are ensuring that Sri Lanka’s youth are no longer just passing exams—they are preparing for life.
