It is more than a century to Al-Azhar part 2

In the year 2002, Mr M.H.M Yusuf Lebbe became the principal of the Al-Azhar national school. But as he was transferred within a short period then arrived Mr A.C.M Azhar as the principal. This was the period during which the Bilingual classes (English and Tamil mediums) were established. And, in the first attempt itself among the students who sat for the ordinary level examinations in English medium, a student could secure 10As. That was another special moment in the history of Mother Azhar.

Another distinctive event that took place during this period was that one of the famous English teachers, Mr A.S.M Azmy was sent to Manchester University, England to acquire special training in English. A band team was formed. Construction of new buildings like audio, video unit and Information Technology unit were some successful events that happened during this time.

Badiudeen Mahmood Block of Al-Azhar

Mr M.I.M Junaidh was appointed as the principal of Al-Azhar national school during the year 2004. He led many project works which took the school to the next level of development. During his time the Information Technology unit and a building named “Badiudeen Mahmood Block” were opened and given for students’ usage. A water tank was built to fulfil the need for water at school. A network was created among the English medium schools and due to this another teacher of English Mrs U.L.M Nazeema was sent to England to participate in an English Language Empowerment programme.

After the retirement of Mr Junaidh in the year 2006, Mr M.A.M Nisthar, who was the vice-principal during that period became the principal of Al-Azhar national school. He had been a student, a teacher, the vice principal and finally appointed as the principal of the school. His experience, his ability to face challenges, and his influence from the zonal office to the provincial education office all together supported him to make the school one of the best schools in the Mawanella zone.

From 2013- to 2016

Mr Nisthar, with his continuous effort to provide maximum physical resources to the school, obtained the funds from the government to build two important buildings at school which are the auditorium and the science laboratory for Advanced Level. In 2012, the Al-Azhar national school was included in the list of 1000 schools project and that brought the Technology stream for the Advanced level students.

The Mahindhodaya laboratory includes the Nenasa Distance Learning Centre and IT laboratory. And Mahindhodaya faculty which consist of laboratory facilities and classrooms for Technology students were all provided under the 1000 schools development project. The introduction of an electronic bell system, a fingerprint machine, and the installation of CCTV cameras happened in this period. And the establishment of a hardball cricket team (in 2009) was some other benefit that the school gained during the service period of Mr Nisthar.

highest number of scholarship passes in Al-Azhar national school

It was in 2007, that the highest number of students passed the year 5 scholarship examinations. At this moment, I feel extremely happy to mention that I am one among them. In 2010,84% of students passed in Ordinary Level Examinations and in the year 2013, 7 students got 9A passes for the first time in Al Azhar history. In 2012, the pass rate of Advanced Level Examinations was lifted to 93%.

Several achievements were made during the period of Mr Nisthar in zonal, provincial as well as in island levels. In the competition of examining schools to find out the fruitful schools in the province our school won bronze medals for two consecutive years and a gold medal the year next. In 2010, our school won first place in province Level National ICT Excellent Award and secured fifth place in National Level Competitions. The period of Mr Nisthar had been an excellent era in the history of our Mother Azhar.

Al-Azhar national school scholarship exam

From 2016-till present

Mr K.M Fawmy became the principal of Al Azhar in the year 2017. He managed to connect the past pupils and many volunteers in the act of developing the school. They all planned together and contributed much in planning the centenary celebrations that were to be held the next year. Many prior events were held to celebrate the 100^th year completion of the school. Events like tree planting campaigns, medical consultation camps for teachers and blood donation camps were some of them.

In the year 2018, many events were planned to commemorate the successful completion of a century of Mother Azhar. The longest walk covering all the areas nearby was organized in February 2018 to start the celebrations. It was witnessed as one of the major events that took place in the history of the school. Nearly 2000 past pupils participated in the walk, planning different programmes for the day.

Grand exhibition to commemorate 100th anniversary

Unfortunately, in January 2018 due to an accident Mr Fawmy, the principal had to take medical leave and thereafter the Vice Principal of that time Mr.M.R.M. Akram had to take charge as the principal of Al-Azhar national school. Many other events, such as Awareness programmes for parents. And the most awaited event of the year the educational fair and the grand exhibition were also held to celebrate the 100^th year of the school.

The Educational fair and the exhibition was held from October 4^th-8^th 2018. And the magnificent event was commenced by the Chief Guest the Educational Minister of that time Mr Akhila Viraj Kariyawasam. Moreover, many other politicians also took part in this splendid event of the year.

programmes to uplift O/L results

After Mr MrAkram’s period, Mr M.F.M Nawaz became the principal of the school in the year 2020. He began many projects to bring changes in the physical environment as well as in the education of the students. And he is continuing his service. He, along with the support from the School Development Committee started the results upliftment programmes. Especially for Mathematics and English language for Ordinary Level students.

This drastically increased the results of the Ordinary Level students of the 2020 batch. Moreover, today a considerable growth is seen in the number of students who get admitted to universities, university colleges, Advanced Technological Institutes and the National College of Education every year.

This year 2021, is another significant year in the history of the school as the school was upgraded as the National school from the level of college.

Al-Azhar National school, covering a land area of approximately 5000 square meters, is a well-resourced and well-accomplished school in the area. And is continuously providing her service even after completing more than a hundred years in her journey. I wish her to pass many more centuries and extend her service at the national level in future.