Gampola Zahira College 75th anniversary walk tomorrow

Gampola Zahira College is celebrating 75 years of serving the nation in education, from 1942 to 2017. 

In commemoration of the 75th year of the college and 50th year of the Past Pupils Association, the Anniversary Walk will be held on 20 January. There will be post-Walk fellowship organised inside the college on the same day for all those who join the Walk. This will include a sports meet for past pupils, networking, stalls, and other fun activities.

One of the leading schools not only in the central province but also in the entire country, Gampola Zahira College has had the best of years in the past, making history in every field. Gampola Zahira College was founded on 15 May 1942 by late Dr. T. B. Jayah with just 185 students and 4 teachers in a makeshift hut, due to the effects of World War II and the bombing of Colombo by the Japanese. Dr. T.B. Jayah, with the support of a few Muslim educationist & philanthropists living in Gampola, was able to move some students from Zahira College, Colombo to establish a school in Gampola.

Today, this school has been transformed into one of the leading institutions in the hill capital, as a mixed school (girls & boys) with three mediums (English, Sinhala & Tamil) with a student population of over 3000 pupils. This was only possible due to the untiring efforts of the founders, especially the Founder Architect Dr. Al-Haj Badi-Ud-Din Mahmud, who was the Principal at the very early stage of the school. Dr. Mahmud later became the Minister of Education, taking development into his hands.

The school marks the 75th Anniversary with many worthwhile projects throughout the year. The biggest and major event of this celebration is the Anniversary Walk, scheduled for 20 January in Gampola. Students, teachers, parents & most importantly, thousands of past pupils are eagerly waiting to witness this grand show.

The Past Pupils Association of the college was established in the year 1967 and is celebrating their 50th year, having contributed immensely towards the development of the college while growing in numbers and branches in the last 11 years, including Gampola Zahira College – Union in Colombo, Past Pupils Association – Qatar, Past Pupils Association – UAE and upcoming branches in Australia and UK.

Past Pupils Association President Ameer Ahmed said: ‘’As the Past Pupils Association, we have been an integral part of the college for the last 50 years, in supporting the development of the college. The last few years have been our turning point with great progress inside the college in every field: academics, sports, extracurricular activities and infrastructure development as well. Our current principal of the college Mr. A. L. Siraj, who assumed duties two years ago, is working very cordially with the Past Pupils Association, parents and well wishers to develop the college.’’

Gampola Zahira College Principal A. L. Siraj said: “It gives me great happiness that we have been able to produce good results so far in academic achievements in Grade 5 scholarships, GCE O/L, GCE A/L exams, football, cricket, netball, rugby, indoor games and extracurricular activities, thanks to our dedicated teachers, parents and most importantly the Past Pupils.” He also noted that due to this fact, the demand for admission to the school has increased by almost 3 times this year.

For more details visit www.gampolazahirappa.com