Have you ever imagined waking up at five in the morning to get ready for school? Running to the school bus at six in the morning? No doubt. This is the everyday routine of every Devian out of Kurunegala town. Boring right? Except when you get the opportunity to experience the coldness of the morning breeze that welcomes you at the entrance of the school with the breathtaking view of the sunrise behind Athugala. You can watch that from the Maliyadeva Girls’ School playground.
How could you miss the morning exercise session at school grounds where you get the opportunity to feel the warmth of the morning sunlight and the morning worshipping sessions at the school temple that calms you down with the sweet fragrance of the matchsticks?
That’s Maliyadeva Girls’ School. That simple uniform with the greenish tie and house batches of red, blue, green, and yellow holds the glory of the school itself. The path starting from the gate surrounded by the yellowish cascades of Ehela trees and the beautiful fountains in front of the auditorium gives an exquisite appearance to the school.
Chronicle of the school’s inception
Maliyadeva Girls’ School, one of the most prominent Buddhist girls’ schools in Sri Lanka has cooperated to raise a proud generation of women with fine attributes and quality intellect over 75 years.
It all started with the establishment of a school named ‘Kurunegala Buddhist School” in 1888 in a small space on the street of Bodhiraja in the city of Kurunegala by Colonel Henry Steel Olcott. But as soon as the school started the number of students of the school increased and the space was not enough for the school.
Hence the administration of the school decided to shift the school to the nearby temple “Athkanda Viharaya”. By then the school was called the Buddhist English School as it was the only Buddhist School in the town at that era. The education of the students was continued at the temple.
location was changed to Athkanda
At that time in 1929, a Buddhist Organization was formed as YBA. (” Youth Buddhist Association ”) The administration of the school was given to the association afterward. They decided to shift the location of the school to Negombo road. Both genders studied at the school in this era. Well. For your further knowledge, the school was a registered mixed school in 1941. Interesting right? Except for the fact that the freedom you get to do anything in your own girly or boyish way.
Again the location was changed to Athkanda temple to lend the land of the school for some military purpose. Here comes the interesting part. Shifting continued. The school’s primary section transferred to the road of Colombo in 1944 while the rest of the school was continued in Athkanda Temple.
School got its original place in 1946 and the upper grades of the school transferred back to the place at the road of Negombo. Primary boys rejoined the school. There were these girls who didn’t join the school and stayed at the place. With that, a new school was formed in 1946 with 69 girls. The staff was 2 teachers with principal C.E.V.Fernando.
Development of the school
The auditoria where you conduct ceremonies or the swimming pool that you swim back and forth during the practice sessions or the pavilion where you conduct the morning assembly are the dedication and the effort of the principals, parents, and the old girls’ association. Commencing with that cadjan roofed building the school has approached a long expedition.
The school enrolls over 4500 students and provides them with a series of facilities including sports, extracurricular, library, hostel, IT, and transport facilities. The old girls’ association of the school has contributed a lot to the development of the school.
They also help the studies of the students by launching scholarship programs as well. Deviants are outstanding not only for extracurricular activities but also for studies as well. They achieve island as well as district top ranks in both ordinary and advanced level examinations.
Maliyadeva culture
The school has its own culture. Although you don’t know how to play basketball you become addicted to the sport after entering school. Almost every girl has tried to shoot the basketball through the ring. The canteen building at the center of the school is the gathering place where you can find every student at the school before start. No one ever misses the morning glass of avocado or lemon juice with that delicious polos cutlet. The sports meet is the most enjoyable extracurricular activity in the school.
Everyone including teachers does not miss any chance to help their respective houses. Everyone gathers to make the house huts. No matter how close you are with students from other houses, the theme of the house hut is a secret for them. Then the New Year festival of the school arrives where everyone plays folk games and shares gifts.
Everyone has their secret spots at the school library where they enjoy interesting books or several magazines at
the library period. Scrabble and badminton are the recreation activities of the whole school after the term tests. Taking the shuttlecock from the roof with a broom is the most interesting session of it.
trending leisure pursuit
Cross-stitch making is the trending leisure pursuit in the school during a free period. Almost every student has a set of cross stitches with them. Relishing the mouthwatering dishes prepared at the home science period is the most enjoyable period of the school schedule. Despite the assiduous work everyone enjoys planting and watering plants at the school garden.
Those are the opportunities you get as a Devian. Not only subject matters but also numerous extracurricular activities that facilitate the education of a student. They have prepared various activities that match the student. Primary girls have their own play area, and sports meet while upper grades have their extracurricular programs. The school provides opportunities for students to participate in various clubs and associations. And work with the students of other schools as well. Thus it is authentic to apprise Maliyadeva Girls’ School as the princess of Athugalpura that bewitches you with her elegance and endeavor.
