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Zahira College (National School) Matale, (Arabic: Zahira means "Excellence"; Tamil: சாஹிரா தேசிய கல்லூரி; Sinhala: සහිරා ජාතික පාසල), is one of the oldest schools in the Matale District. It is situated in the centre of the city.
| Zahira College (National School) Matale | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Address | |
 | |
Tharalanda Road , Sri Lanka | |
| Coordinates | 7°28′37″N 80°37′36″E / 7.47694°N 80.62667°E |
| Information | |
| Type | Public School |
| Motto | Live in Light |
| Established | 3 August 1942 |
| School district | Matale District |
| Principal | Siddique Najeen |
| Grades | 1 - 13 |
| Gender | Male (Boys) |
| Enrollment | 2,000 |
| Houses | Azad, Iqbal, Jayah, Jinnah |
| Colour(s) | Green and gold |
| Alumni | Zahirians |
| Website | zahiracollegematale |
History edit
The school was founded on 3 August 1942 by Tuan Burhanuddin Jayah.[1][2] The original 4.5 ha (11 acres) 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.[3]
The school is noted for its accomplishments in the field of hockey, winning a number of national schoolboy championships.[4][5] 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 edit
The houses compete to win the inter-house games held by the college annually.
| House | Color |
|---|---|
| Azad | |
| Iqbal | |
| Jayah | |
| Jinnah |
Past Principals edit
| Principal | Arrived | Departed |
|---|---|---|
| T. S. Sally | 03-08-1942
|
29-06-1943
|
| A. R. M. Nilam | 30-06-1943
|
12-01-1945
|
| S. Rauf Pasha | 08-02-1945
|
13-01-1946
|
| A. V. Ponnusaami | 09-02-1946
|
30-03-1946
|
| Anif Doray | 01-04-1946
|
30-04-1946
|
| M. V. Mathai | 28-08-1947
|
27-08-1961
|
| S. H. A Wadood | 28-08-1961
|
31-05-1965
|
| A. Z. Omerdeen | 01-06-1965
|
15-02-1968
|
| A. C. M. Zeirideen | 16-02-1968
|
07-12-1970
|
| S. H. A. Wadood | 07-12-1970
|
27-04-1976
|
| A. M. Rakeem | 28-04-1976
|
22-11-1977
|
| A. A. M. Fuaji | 23-11-1977
|
30-11-1979
|
| A. C. M. Zeirideen | 01-12-1979
|
01-03-1985
|
| A. A. M. Fuaji | 01-03-1985
|
31-12-1990
|
| T. Uzair | 01-01-1991
|
24-09-1994
|
| A. J. M. Farook | 24-09-1994
|
19-04-1996
|
| M. Azeez | 19-04-1996
|
31-07-1998
|
| K. M. Buharideen | 01-08-1998
|
05-11-1999
|
| M. I. Thaibdeen | 11-02-2000
|
12-11-2003
|
| K. M. Buharideen | 13-11-2003
|
20-03-2006
|
| J. M. Nisfer | 20-03-2006
|
15-06-2006
|
| Kamil Sarap | 16-06-2006
|
02-08-2007
|
| J. M. Iqbal | 02-08-2007
|
01-09-2018
|
| Abdul Kalam | 01-09-2018
|
15-08-2019
|
| Siddique Najeen | 15-08-2019
|
Currently in office
|
Notable alumni edit
- Abdul Cader Shahul Hameed (former Foreign Minister)
Further reading edit
- Mr. M. V. Mathai: 'the Builder of Matale Zahira'. Hishma Publishers. 2014.
References edit
- ^ Azoor, T. K. (4 February 2018). "Dr. T. B. Jayah - A National Hero". Sunday Observer. Retrieved 11 September 2021.
- ^ Chandrasiri, L. B. (7 September 2016). "Zahira College Matale organises walk". Daily Mirror. Retrieved 11 September 2021.
- ^ Abdeen, S. M. Jiffery (28 September 2015). "Matale Zahirians create history". The Daily News. Retrieved 11 September 2021.
- ^ "Zahira College, Matale wrap-up boy's title". Daily Mirror. 21 July 2012. Retrieved 11 September 2021.
- ^ "Zahira Matale and Peterites Under-20 joint hockey champs". The Sunday Times. 28 April 2019. Retrieved 11 September 2021.