Atlas Axillia hosted the ‘Guru Garu’ teacher appreciation programme in collaboration with the Western Province Department of Education at The Kingsbury, Colombo, on 13 October 2026. The event brought together over 250 teachers to recognise their dedication and contribution to children’s learning and development.

The programme reflected the company’s commitment to the teaching community and Atlas’s purpose of making learning fun. It acknowledged the role educators play in creating classrooms where children feel encouraged to ask questions, explore ideas and participate with confidence. Their influence extends beyond academic achievement, helping students recognise their strengths and develop a positive attitude towards learning.

Guru Garu provided an opportunity to express gratitude for this contribution and the care teachers bring to their profession. It also recognised their place within a wider community of students, parents and educators whose shared efforts support children throughout their education. For Atlas, maintaining close relationships with this community is an important part of understanding and responding to children’s learning needs.

This year’s sunflower theme illustrated the bond between teachers and students. Teachers were represented as the sun, providing the knowledge, guidance and encouragement that help children, symbolised by sunflowers, grow and bloom. The theme also incorporated Atlas’s sunflower yellow pencil, linking a familiar classroom tool with the people who guide its use in a child’s early learning experiences.

Commenting on the initiative, Indrajith Binduhewa, Country Head, Atlas Axillia, said, “A teacher’s impact is often seen in everyday moments: helping a child understand something for the first time, encouraging them to speak up or giving them the confidence to keep trying. Guru Garu is our way of thanking educators for the patience and commitment behind those moments. As a brand whose purpose is to make learning fun, Atlas values the people who make that experience possible. We want teachers to feel appreciated for the difference they make, both in the classroom and in the lives of their students.”

Held as part of Atlas’s ongoing teacher appreciation initiative, the programme continued the company’s engagement with the Western Province Department of Education. The collaboration brought a shared focus to recognising educators and their service to the next generation. Through Guru Garu, Atlas Axillia reaffirmed its commitment to giving back to the communities it serves, with teacher recognition remaining an integral part of its support for education in Sri Lanka.