Taxila Central College, Horana
Taxila Central College (Sinhala: තක්ෂිලා මධ්ය විද්යාලය, Romanized Sinhala: takṣilā madhya vidyālaya, Tamil: டேக்ஸிலா மத்திய கல்லூரி, Romanized Tamil: Ṭēksilā mattiya kallūri) (also referred to as takṣilā madhya mahā vidyālaya, or simply Taxila or Loku Thakshilawa) is a leading selective entry coeducational school located in Horana, Sri Lanka. It was started in 1905 by Colonel Henry Steel Olcott as a National School.
History
In 1905, the Horana Buddhist English school was established under the programme of opening of Buddhist schools, launched by the Ceylon Buddhist Theosophists and Col. Henry Steel Olcott. The school was established on a small plot of land provided by Sathis Wimalasekara.
The school was relocated to a plot of land donated by philanthropist Arthur V. Dias during the 1930s. The Horana Buddhist English School was renamed as the Taxila Buddhist English School, following a proposal by W. K. S. Fonseka, a teacher at the school and endorsed by then principal W. F. Sirisena.
As a result of the educational reforms proposed by the C. W. W. Kannangara committee in 1943, 54 central colleges were established throughout the country. Moreover, a demand arose that the government take over Taxila Buddhist English school and make it a central college.[1]
Under the patronage of the Minister of Education, C. W. W. Kannangara, on 6 May 1946, Taxila Buddhist English school was converted into Taxila Central College.[2]
The first principal was Thomas Newton Silva. The school shifted to the present venue in 1954. After the shift of venue Taxila Central College became an above grade six school, leaving the primary section at the old venue as a different school. The shift occurred while Edmund Dias was the principal.[3]
Principal E. D. K. Abeysekara was appointed in 1958 and recorded the longest tenure as principal, except for that of H. K. A. Abhayapala.
A hostel was established gathering 200 students, and physical resources were developed during this period. Electricity and water facilities were included among the major facilities.
Science scholars were admitted during this era. In 1958 the school got laboratory facilities and the science classes for ordinary level examination were initiated in 1960. In 1961 Taxila initiated the Advanced Level Science Section.
Facilities
Field Study Centre
History
In early 1979, a field study center was established at Taxila Central College, Horana to occupy the closed down hostel building to house the field study center. The first Field Study Camp was held on 3 August 1979 as an environmental project of the Kalutara District five year educational plan (1979-1983). Education Department and the Ministry of Education supported very much to build up the center
Activities
By 1981, the field study centre was a fully fledged environmental studies laboratory. The Ministry of Education promoted the novel idea of outdoor activities related to the environment and allocated funds to carry out the study camps. Several three day residential camps were held during every school term. The environmental studies done in these camps were based on the rich biological diversity of Kaluganga-Basin.
The deputy principal, Ranjith Wijenayake, has produced and directed a number of stage plays on behalf of the school. Four of them (Asarana Kathandarayak, Nena Saha Pena and Diriya Mawa) represented the school at national level competitions. 'Diriya Mawa'(a translation of Bertolt Bretcht's Mother Courage and Her Children) won the second place at the State School Drama Festival- 2012. That drama won 14 awards as well.
Swimming pool
In 2004, according to the proposal by Captain of the Police Life Guard W. S. Bandula, the swimming section of the school was started as a sport event. It was started by Ramyalatha Mayadunna.
A request was sent to the Prime Minister of Sri Lanka, Rathnasiri Wickramanayaka, from the school. The pool was donated by Rev. Kyuse EnShinjo - Founder of the Nethbutshu Buddhism Sect in Japan, with collaboration of the secretary of Prime Minister.
The Swimming pool complex opened on 29 June 2009.
Laboratory complex
The lab opened In 1962. Its three sections were Chemistry, Physics and Agriculture. In 1986 these became a Chemistry Lab, Physics Lab, Botany Lab and Zoo Lab. Later the Zoo lab closed and the Botany lab became the Bio lab. The new O/L science laboratory was established In 2005.
Field Study Centre
- Studying Camps
- One-Day Workshops(For grade 6-21 students)
- 3-Day Workshops(For A/L Students)
- Co-ordination centre for A/L Projects
Sobagira
This contains a butterfly park, fish pond, collection of aquatic plants and afforestation.
Academic information
The school offers Grade 6 to Grade 13 Classes with three sections in Advanced Level Step Called Science Section (Combined Mathematics and Biology), Art Section and Commerce Section. More than 3,500 students study in these sections.
Events
'Prathibha' is a variety show in which all the grade 6 children participate commenced in 2003. It is held annually on the last day of December. Almost three thousand children have participated so far.
'Nirupana' is an educational procession made up of hundreds of representations of social and cultural phenomena. Though the form is like a traditional procession, the content is entirely educational and creative. This is the peculiar annual event of grade 7 students and it started in 2008.
'Nirmani' is an open stage variety show of grade 8 children. It commenced in 2008. It is unique in the sense that the items displayed are the creations of the children. It is held before thousands[4] of children on the last day of the second term. Ranjith Wijenayake was instrumental in introducing those three events.
Houses
Students of Taxila Central College are divided into four houses, named after kings in Sri Lankan history. Each house has its own colour.
- Thissa - Red
- Gemunu - Green
- Vijaya - Yellow
- Parakrama - Blue
Notable alumni
| Name | Notability | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| John Senewiratne | Member of Parliament - Ratnapura (1989–present) | |
| Champika Ranawaka | Member of Parliament - Colombo (2010–present), National List (2007–2010) | |
| Dhammika Perera | Corporate executive, founding Chairman / Managing Director of Vallibel One Group |
See also
- Education in Sri Lanka
- Madhya Maha Vidyalayas
- Free education
- List of schools in Sri Lanka
References
- Arunalu, the journal of the central colleges past pupils association of Sri Lanka, 28th Sep. 2010 issue
- Arunalu
- Arunalu, the journal of central colleges past pupils association, 28th Sep. 2010 issue
- Prathipujana fact book of Taxila central college and the annual reports.