HISTORY OF  AL-GAZZALY CENTRAL COLLEGE

In 1870, in the village of Atulugama, which is situated in the Bandaragama electorate of Kalutara district, at the Delgahawatta area, in the verandah of Alla Pichchei,  a school was started with 10-20 students.

In 1904, it was shifted to a temporary building opposite to late Mr.Thowfeek’s house and became a government school. In 1911, it was named as KL/Atulugama Mohamadian Vernaculari Boys’Tamil government school (MVBTS) and registered under Group 17/MVBTS.

The first headmaster was S.Rayappu and he assumed duties in 1911.On13^th of February, 1920, late Mr.S.Arumuham assumed duties as the headmaster and late Mr.Thambo was the assistant teacher. On 22^nd of June 1925, the name was changed as KL/Atulugama Government Muslim School.

At that time, the student population was very low because the parents feared of baptism of the students. But they sent their children to the Quran Madarsa school from 6.30-8.30.So they were asked to sent their children to Quran Madarsa school in the evening. During the year1926 the student population was 133 on roll and the staff consisted of three teachers. In 1930, the first temporary building was constructed and on 20^th of March 1933 that temporary building was replaced by a permanent building.

In 1937, the student population was 256 on roll. On 2^nd of February 1927 late Mr.I.L.M. Sali, who was born in Atulugama area assumed duties as the first teacher. By the year of 1950 there were 355 students on roll and on 11^th of September 1955 late Mr.I.L.M. Sali assumed duties as the first  Muslim principal of Atulugama.

With the growth of student population, the space was limited. So on 23^rd of January in 1961,the school was separated into Girls’

 school and Boys’ school and it was held in the morning and in the evening. By the year 1971 the girls’ school consisted of 470 students and 14 teachers on roll while the Boys’ school consisted of 505 students and 16 teachers on roll.

When Dr.Badiudeen Mohamed was the Minister of Education, he visited the school on 7^th of August 1972 and the name was changed into Al-Gazzaly MahaVidyalaya. Mr.A.H.A.Cader assumed duties as the first principal of Al-Gazzaly Maha vidyalaya.  In 1972, with the involvement of the parents, the present school land was purchased and constructed a 100’’ x 20’’ building.

In 1976, again parents involved and constructed the first science laboratory of the school and late Mr.Herbert Wickramasinghe laid foundation to the laboratory. The HNCE Science and Maths classes started In the same year teachers of the school staged a drama Name “Kanneer Anjali”  in aid to raise the funds to construct a building (Taharam hall) and it was a success. The first Magazine released on 1977 named “Al-GAZZALY” During the era of the principal Mr.A.H.A.Cader

In end of the 1977 late Mr. A.S.M. Nowfer assumed duties as the third principal of Atulugama. In 1977, Mr.Raja Samaranayake donated a 100’’ x 20’’ building. On 28^thof March 1978, the rest of the lands were purchased by the government to erect a playground and at that time the school

consisted of 1238 students and 47 teachers.  

The first floor of the two storied building near the Bo-Tree and with the funds donated by parents and the second storied donated by Mr.Raja Samaranayake. In 1991 teachers’ quarters was constructed. In 1993 another building was constructed by tilak karunaratna. During the year 1994, the student population consisted of 1956 students on roll and 49 teachers.

On 10^th of May 1997, Minister of Education, late Hon.Richard Pathirana visited the school and laid foundation to the three storied Science laboratory building and on 27^th of May 1998 Minister Reginald Cooray laid foundation for another three storied building. By the year 2006,(over two hundred) 216 students were enrolled to grade one class for the first time in the history of Al Gazzaly. On 12^th March 2009, a duplo machine was donated by Minister Reginald Cooray.

On 2004 Imthiyaz Bakir Markkar laid foundation to the Auditorium and the first step construted by Imthiyaz Bakir Markar.

Hon. Reginald cooray completed the Auditorium. During the era of the principal  Mr.T.U.A. Wahab, the Main Auditorium was declared opened.  

From 06^th of January 2011,a new era  was opened to Al-Gazzaly.  Mr.A.M.A. Jaward, our present principal assumed duties on this day. He is a man of wide vision and in order to bring about a broader out look in the students, he is trying his best with the help of his staff. 30^th December 2012 was an unforgettable day for the history of Al-Gazzaly Central College. On that great day Minister of education Honourable Bandula Gunawardhana laid foundation for the three storied science laboratory in the secondary section of the school and laid foundation to the building of the new primary section of the school. The land for the new primary section of the school was bought by the SDS of the school with the help of the parents, donors and the well wishers of the school due to the untiring efforts of the present principal Mr.A.M.A.Jaward The school is progressing both in studies and in material gains.

   Al-Gazzaly Central College Can boast of a large number of eminent past students among whom are Doctors, Accountants, Engineers, lawyers, principals of schools, teachers, government servants, leading businessmen and many worthy citizens of Sri Lanka.