In 2018, Zahira College Matale student R. Hakeem Kareem earned one of the top national rankings in the G.C.E. Advanced Level Science stream, marking an exceptional academic milestone for the school. His result placed him among the highest-achieving students in Sri Lanka and qualified him for competitive university admission in the Science and Engineering fields.
This outstanding performance highlighted Zahira’s commitment to maintaining a strong academic culture and its ability to produce students who excel at national examinations. His achievement was recognized at the College Prize Giving and commended by the teaching staff, parents and the school community at large.
Hakeem’s success motivated many younger students to pursue the Science stream with confidence, and it reinforced the importance of academic discipline, proper guidance and resource support. The achievement further demonstrated that Zahirians are capable of excelling beyond regional level and competing successfully with students from major schools in Colombo and other provinces.
Following his results, Hakeem received offers to pursue higher education at university level, strengthening Zahira College Matale’s reputation as an institution that nurtures academically strong candidates for national and international pathways.