The school started during the Christianity Period. :
At that time the school was owned by the convent and the medium of teaching was sinhala. The school was called a “madama”.
During this period the Sinhala language was not given a prominent place and it was limited to “madama”. As it was given the name “madama” the parents were reluctant to send the children. Therefore, most of the students were sent to English tough schools. There were only 25-50 students at the beginning of the school.
Later school become to Sinhala school :
The school started on 1st of May 1908 with about 100 students; of whom 60 followed the regular classes. The Sinhalese school and the orphanage were recognize by the State inspection in 1911 as a boarding school. This was rather an unusual decision. A special grant was attached to it. In 1911 the school was enlarged with 6 ,7, 8, forms. Because two teachers had passed their exams up to this level. From 1923 onwards a kindergarten was also attached to the Sinhalese school.
After that the school becomes a Government school :
In 1916 under the private school acquisition Act St. Mary’s Convent Sinhala school was acquired to the government and it was called as a Kotuwegoda Balika Vidyalaya.
The School becomes Mahamaya Balika :
There were classes from grade 1 to O/L. Mrs. H.L.D.P.Jayaweera gave the students and staff every encouragement to produce best O/L results – By doing so the students showed good O/L results , ,she was able to get permission from the Education Ministry to start on Arts A/L class. For the first time a student entered Arts Faculty of the University.
When Mrs. H.L.D.P. Jayaweera assumed duties at Mahamaya Balika M.V. in Matara the school was Known as Kotuwegoda Bakila Vidyalaya.
Next step was to get the permission from the ministry of education to change the name of the school as Mahamaya Balika Maha Vidyalaya. The school development society joined her by giving the fullest co-operation.To celebrate the new name of the school Mrs.H.L.D.P.Jayaweera. held a simple function plus the school price giving for the fist time. The chief guests were the Matara M.P. Mr.S.K.Piyadasa and the Director of Education Matara Mr.L.B Samarakoon.
As years went by students entered the University year after year. She encouraged the staff to present students for English Day and Sinhala Day Competitions, Do you know contests, Drill competition, which brought Credit to the school.
A blue and yellow striped school tie was introduced by Mrs. Jayweera to the students.The number of students increased and the teaching staff too increased.
The students discipline was my main concern. I was very particular about discipline.
For the first time an all night Prith ceramoney was held in the school main hall followed by a arms giving to monks on the following day. Parents and the staff gave
their fullest co-operation.
