Mahajana College – Batticaloa forges ahead with much success
Mahajana College, Batticaloa which is more than 140 years old is one of the fast growing colleges in Batticaloa district.
Mahajana College is one of the oldest private educational institutions in the district, originated by the Missionaries in 1875. The founder missionary the Rev. John Hilner initiated the establishment of the school with 7 students. Miss. Jaya who was a foreigner served the college as the first principal.
Later, this primary school was converted to a teachers’ Training College and functioned until 1924. In 1925 they were able to take their school back under the name as Arasadi Methodist Mission Tamil Mixed School. In 1935 V. T. Gnanasooriyam took charge of the college as the first Sri Lankan principal and from his appointment the Mahajana College has been imparting a holistic education, with the curricular and co-curricular activities along with the inculcation of good discipline.
As of the national policy on education, in 1962 this college was taken by the Government and was named as Arasadi Tamil Mixed School. In 1992 due to the introduction of the Arts Stream for the G.C.E.(A/L) studies, the school was given the name “Mahajana College”.
Mahajana College has been growing over the years and currently has about 1100 students’ enrolled and 55 academic & 5 non-academic staff. This growth demanded new teaching spaces and facilities. The classes lined-up from Grade 1 to Advanced level. At present there are well equipped buildings, science laboratories, computer labs, Library, Audio Visual Unit, Activity rooms for Maths and English subjects to promote child centered activity based learning and teaching process and Mahindodaya Technical Laboratory to improve the skills of the students.
Under the stewardship of the present principal Mrs. Durairasasingam, the teacher’s guild renders a helping hand to the smooth functioning of the school to bring excellent results.
Products of Maha jana College shine in the general examinations as well as the extra- cur ricular activities. According to the results analysis, annually the overall average above 70% and 10 to 20 students enter the state universities.
It is a proven fact that Mahajana College is still making great strides in all the activities concerned at all the levels of competitions. They motivate the students to participate in all the curricular and extra- curricular activities to develop their personalities. In that line, Miss. Jada who was selected to the Sri Lankan cricket team is a pride to the college.
The language and Aesthetic units bag many awards for their Alma Mater. In 2012 Miss. Kasthoori won all island first place in the Tamil day grammar competition while Miss. Sasireka and Gowreeswaran emerged first places in the essay competitions.
Mahajana College has produced a number of distinguished and outstanding personalities to the nation in all walks of its life. Along with the perfect discipline and the perfect leadership this journey continues forever.
Sujitha Miranda