The period between 1952 and 1957 was also an important period in the history of Zahira College. The Head Master from Maruthamunai Mr. K. M. Samsudeen worked hard for the improvement of the school.It is noteworthy to state that it was during his period that girls were given admission to the school which was denied to them earlier. This enabled many young girls to get teaching appointments. The next Principal was Marhoom A. A. M. Samsudeen Hajiar from Beruwela. It was during his tenure of office the school was upgraded as a Maha Vidyalaya. With this Mr. H. M. Haniffa assumed duties as the new Principal. Many devoted teachers joined the staff. Buildings came up and the number of students on roll too increased.
The school started the Science Stream after obtaining the Science Laboratory through the help of the then Minister of Education late Mr. AL Haj. Badiudeen Mahmood. The services rendered by old pupils for this purpose should be praised. During this period the school was named as Mawanella Zahira Maha Vidyalaya and with the appointment of the first graduate teacher, Mr. M. I. Haja Ameer, the G. C. E A/L classes were started around 1963. One of the students of this batch Al Haj Mr. Y. L. M. Razik, a former Principal of the school was the first to enter the University and became a graduate. After Mr. H. M. Haniffa left the school to take up the appointment of School Inspector, He reorganized the G. C. E. A/L classes and has the credit of sending a student to the University. The Principal who assumed duties in 1967, Mr. M. I. Haja Ameer was a former teacher of this school and was responsible for starting the G. C. E A/L classes. He showed the right path – the path that was beneficial. He was strict and a good administrator during his tenure of office.
Another important stage of the school dawned with Mr. M. S. A Wahid assuming duties as the Principal of the school in 1968. He had a vigorous personality and was able to win the hearts of his students, his staff of teachers, parents, and well-wishers and soon became "Wahid Master" for all. Almost everything he did became a success. He made Zahira prominent and popular in the country. It is not wrong to say that the educational achievements of Zahira reached its peak during his tenure as the Principal. Quite a number of students gained admission to the Arts Faculties of the universities. During the last stages of his tenure, in addition to obtaining electricity supply, Science, Maths and Commerce A/L classes were started. The next stage is the assumption of duty by Mr. M. S. A. Wahid again as the Principal. The services rendered to the school by him until 08.12.1985 shall never fade away from our memories. A concrete wall was built around the school compound, the road within the school was improved and with a gate constructed, a security service to the school was started.
The slacking administration of the school at that time gained vigour with his arrival. He reorganized G. C. E. A/L classes to obtain better results. He also made a playground for the school with the co-operation of the public and Inter-House sports meets were conducted for several years in order to develop sports in the school. After Mr. Wahid retired Mr. Y. L. M. Razik assumed duties as Principal temporarily, which was later made permanent. With the co-operation of the S. D. S, O. B. A and well-wishers he followed in the footsteps of his predecessor Mr. Wahid. He organized the administration and thereby paved the way for the development of this school in all its spheres. The results of the Grade 5 Scholarship Examination, G. C. E O/L and A/L results became records in his time.
BRIEF HISTORY
- 1921 – Transformed as a government school
- 1946.12.03 – conducted stone laying ceremony for the First Permanent Building
- 1952.03.05 – First school tour to the exhibition at Colombo
- 1955.12.12 Conducted the first house meet
- 1962 – A/L Arts Stream Started (HSC)
- 1965.07.01 – Became as Zahira Maha Vidyalaya
- 1972 – A/L Science Stream Started
- 1974 – A/L Commerce Stream Started
- 1977.02.03 – Become as Zahira College
- 1988.03.22 – Became as Zahira Central College
- 1996.11.16 – Became as Zahira National School
- 2003.02.11 – Bilingual Studies started for Grade 6 to 11
- 2007.02.15 – Primary section separated to new location
- 2007 – The college logo changed from the original to new one
- 2008.12.29 Arts & Commerce English medium started
- 2019, 2020 Achieved national level 3rd place in the productivity competition school category
- 2021 & 2022 Celebrated Centenary celebration
- 2022.02.20 – The Original Logo was brought back