Zahira College (National School) Matale, (Arabic: Zahira means "Excellence"; ; ), is one of the oldest schools in the Matale District. It is situated in the centre of the city.
History
The school was founded on 3 August 1942 by Tuan Burhanuddin Jayah. The original school site was donated by Vithanage Tergin Nanayakkara, the local member for Matale. The first buildings were funded by a donation from a local Muslim philanthropist, Cassim Had Sar.
The school is noted for its accomplishments in the field of hockey, winning a number of national schoolboy championships. Hockey was first introduced to the school by a local businessman, George Mant, who learnt the sport at St. Thomas' College, Mount Lavinia. Mant with a number of other enthusiasts established the Matale Hockey Association in September 1942. The school has produced a number of national players, including S. I. Ajward, M. Ayub, M. Zarook, and A. J. M. Farook.
Houses
The houses compete to win the inter-house games held by the college annually.
House Color Azad Iqbal Jayah Jinnah
Past Principals Principal Arrived DepartedT. S. Sally A. R. M. Nilam S. Rauf Pasha A. V. Ponnusaami Anif Doray M. V. Mathai S. H. A Wadood A. Z. Omerdeen A. C. M. Zeirideen S. H. A. Wadood A. M. Rakeem A. A. M. Fuaji A. C. M. Zeirideen A. A. M. Fuaji T. Uzair A. J. M. Farook M. Azeez K. M. Buharideen M. I. Thaibdeen K. M. Buharideen J. M. Nisfer Kamil Sarap J. M. Iqbal Abdul Kalam Siddique Najeen L. M. Abdul Azeez
Notable alumni Abdul Cader Shahul Hameed (former Foreign Minister)
Further reading
References