The Educational System of Sri Lanka
|The present educational
system of Sri Lanka derives from the British educational system, which was introduced by
the British colonial masters in the 19th century. The British colonial
government established colleges for boys and girls separately. These colleges consisted of
Primary Schools, Lower Secondary and Higher Secondary Schools.
In 1938 the education in Government schools made free of charge as consequence of the
Universal Franchise granted in 1931.Subsequently many government schools called Maha
Vidyalayas and were started in all parts of the country. The medium of education of Maha
Vidyalayas was either Sinhala or Tamil.
education lasts six years, after which the pupils sit a scholarship examination. Those who
passed scholarship examination are qualify themselves to be admitted to popular schools
and are granted monthly financial support until they pass out from the university.
After primary education there is Junior Secondary education which lasts for five years,
after which pupils have to sit government examination namely G.C.E. ordinary level to
qualify for Senior Secondary education which last another two years. Then comes the
competitive university entrance examination which is called G.C.E. Advanced level
Those who are not admitted to the universities can either enter vocational technical
schools or be employed in companies or in government departments as apprentice or
trainees. They can also pursue higher education as external students of traditional
universities or at the Open university of Sri Lanka. The open university of Sri Lanka was
established in early 1980s with the idea of conferring degrees and diplomas to the
working population who can do part-time studies by paying tuition fees.
Medium of study in schools today is either Sinhala or Tamil depending on the native
language. The first language and the mathematics are compulsory subjects. all primary
junior secondary pupils get their schools uniforms and text books free of charge from the
In the universities the medium of study of the Medical and engineering faculties are in
English and, in other faculties it can be Sinhala, Tamil or English depending on the
University. Some Universities do have post graduate institute that confer second degrees,
for example Post Graduate Institute of Medicine attached to the University of Colombo.
In addition these system lots of private international schools are being introduced to the
present day education.
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