HISTORY OF AMINA
Bearing the Holy Prophet Mohamed’s (SAW) mother’s name, Mt/Amina Girls’ National School stands with pride as the only Muslim Girls’ school in the heart of Matale.

In the history of Sri Lankan Muslim Education, the name “Zahira” plays a vital role. The educational institution that was established as Zahira College in Colombo later had its branches in Gampola, Matale, Puttalam and Aluthgama. Later these schools developed on their own and became independent institutions.

In 1946, when Matale Zahira started to operate as an independent school Mr. M.V. Mathai served as the principal of the school. During his period, Matale Zahira achieved great success in its mission. In 1950, Alhaj. S.H.A. Wadood-the first Muslim graduate from Matale was appointed as the vice principal to this school.

During his period from 1954 the boys of Zahira College step by step moved to Tharalanda. The girls’ section was administered by Miss.Dora Thennaoon. But both the sections came under one management.

Miss. Dora Thennakoon rendered a remarkable service to the Muslim women society and during her office SSC classes were conducted in both English and Tamil medium.

The girls’ section of Zahira College which had been operating since 1942 in the Gongawela Premises was shifted to the present Amina “T” block in 1962. In commemoration of late Moulavi A.K. Muhammadh Ismail Aalim Sahib, the philanthropist who donated the land to the old Matale Zahira, the present school has been named as Ismaliya Muslim Vidyalaya after him. 

In 1964, after Ms.S.Y. Salih (Mrs.A.Y.Shakoor) became the principal, Number of school buildings of the school increased and G.C.E. (A/L) arts classes were started. Until such time Zahira Girls who excelled in G.C.E. (O/L) classes had to continue their G.C.E. (A/L) in Pakkiyam Vidyalaya, Matale.

The late Mrs. Saleem Beebi who served as one of the deputy principals of Amina Girls’ National School was the first student to pass the G.C.E. (O/L) examination from Zahira Girls’ School and continued to do her G.C.E. (A/L) in Pakkiyam Vidyalaya. When she passed the G.C.E. (O/L) examination, the school was closed on half day to commemorate the great event.

Later, Miss. Nona Fareeda and Ms. Ayesha Nona passed the G.C.E. (O/L) examination and continued their G.C.E. (A/L) in Pakkiyam Vidyalaya and they were the first students to enter the Peradeniya University from Zahira Girls’ School.

In 1968, when Mrs. A.Y. Shakoor was the principal four girls entered the University of Colombo. They were T.U. Nazeema, S.D.S.Leena, M.H.S. Riyasa and M.M. Asma. It is a remarkable achievement in the history of Amina.

The year 1973, turned out to be a milestone in the history of Zahira Girls’ School. Mrs. S.H. Haniyya Salih assumed duties as the principal as Mrs. A.Y. Shakoor was transferred. She had her primary education at Zahira Girls’ School in the English Medium and did her H.S.C. at Gampola Zahira College and entered the University of Peradeniya. When she assumed duties as the principal the late Deshabandu Alhaj Dr. Badiudeen Mahmood had been the minister of education.

In 1974, she took necessary steps to change the name of the school. Accordingly Matale Zahira Girls’ School became Amina Girls’ School. And it was during Miss. S.H.Haniyya Salih’s period in office that prefects were appointed for the first time. 

In 1974, Vice Principal Mrs. H.U. Haniffa served as the principal temporarily and in 1975 Mrs. Abdul Cader assumed duties as the principal. During her period Amina was steered through success in all the fields.

In 1978, Mrs. G.N. Pakeer Ali became the principal of Amina. She had been a teacher in Zahira College for a long period. It was during her period that the H.N.C.E. classes were operated. And many students participated in speech, essay, poetry, and drama competitions and won many awards. Getting through the H.N.C.E. Exam eight students out of twelve entered the university. Deena Husain, Raheema Gani, Misiriya Raheem, Kokila Devi selliah, Yesmin Mohideen and Raleena Ismail were among those who entered the university.

The year 1989 was another important year in the history of Amina girls’ School. In 1989, Mrs. Farooja Abdeen assumed duties as the principal of Amina Girls’ School. In 1989 using her skills and expertise she developed Amina Girls’ School to a great extent. As she had served as a teacher and an assistant librarian she developed the Amina library.  Being an LLB degree holder she did a commendable service to adjoin the Police Quarters premises with the help of late Hon. Minister, M.H.M. Ashraff. As her Excellency the President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunge agreed with the plea police quarters premises was handed over to Amina Girls’ School.  In tribute, Muslims of Matale handed over a sum of Rs. One Million to the President at Temple Trees for the President’s Fund. They also built a parapet wall round the newly acquired area.

And another piece of land, 52 perches in extent that was near the Gongawela bus stand became the property of Amina. This was donated by Alhaj Zubair family            (Majeed Corporation) Alhaj Hanan family and the Municipal Council of Matale. A sum of Rupees Three hundred Thousand was handed over to the Matale Municipal Council for this purpose. 

Having served for 22 years Hajiani Mrs. Farooja Abdeen went on retirement in 2011 and Dr. Faudina Zameek assumed duties as a Grade 01 Principal at Amina Girls’ National School. She had already been a teacher of English and a Deputy Principal from 2002.01.01. She served as the ISA for English during 1993 to 2001.

After Dr. Faudina Zameek became the Principal in 2011 she had been the force behind many improvements, developments and success of Amina Girls’ National School. 

Having explained long history in brief, Amina Girls’ National School celebrated its Golden Jubilee in 2012 with pride and dignity. In commemoration of the same Amina Girls’ National School had been celebrating many events. Prize giving was one of the most memorable such events. It was in deed a great honour to have had the Hon. Minister of Education, Bandula Gunawardana as the Chief Guest at our prize giving ceremony. It is noteworthy to point out that it was the 1st time in the history of the District of Matale that a Minister of Education having graced a prize giving ceremony as the chief guest.

In the year 2014, a long felt need of Amina became a reality. An Auditorium which had been the dream of the principal, staff, students and the whole community has begun its construction after the approval of the Ministry of Education, Isurupaya, Battaramulla. In the same year Amina Girls’ National School possessed the pride of producing two students from the science stream to enter Universities to the Faculty of Medicine. This was the first time in the history of Amina that two girls entered the Medical Faculty from the science stream.

Once again in 2015 our school was ranked as the 43rd school in the Island at the G.C.E. (A/L) examination and for the first time in the history of Amina 6 students were able to get 9 A’s at the G.C.E. (O/L) examination in 2015. 

In 2016, for the first time in the history of the school Amina was able to win the Punchathanthiram title (Sinhala Pentethalon) beating 1500 Tamil medium schools in the Island. This great victory will be a much cherished event in the history of Amina Girls’ National School which was proudly won during the tenure of the Principal Dr. Faudina Zameek.

In the same year, 42 students entered the university and among them 3 students entered the faculty of law for the first time in the history of Amina Girls’ National School.

In 2016, the construction of the 2nd phase of the Auditorium was also started and assemblies, Prefects’ day celebrations and some other ceremonies also took place with the completion of the 1st phase of the auditorium.

As second language Sinhala is being promoted among students, 74 students had obtained “A” passes in the second language at the G.C.E. (A/L) examination in 2018 and they were felicitated by His Excellency the President Mythripala Sirisena at the temple trees.

For the first time in the history of the school 12 students obtained 9 A’s at the G.C.E. (O/L) examination- 2018.

In the meantime sports for girls also promoted at school. M.S.F.Saja won the first place at the Zonal athletic meet. She was adjudged as the most outstanding athlete of the Matale Zone and this is the first achievement in sports of our school history

In 2020 Dr. Faudina Zameek went on retirement and Mr. H.L. Sirajudeen succeeded her. During this period, unfortunately the whole country was crippled due to the Covid 19 pandemic situation and so was the education. All schools in the country had been closed for long periods. As an alternative, online classes were held from Gr.1 to Gr.13 to cover the syllabus amid great odds.