WEP-Sri Lanka

World

Education Profiles

SRI LANKA

Elementary Education

Higher Education

Upper secondary education is comprised of two years of schooling (Forms XII and XIII). Students are free to select science, commerce or art streams according to their GCE O-Level examination, their capabilities and their preferences. Four subjects are to be taken for the GCE A-Level examination at the end of two years of schooling at the upper secondary level. Since the performance in this examination is the basis for student selection at universities and other higher education institutes, and considering that available places are limited, successful completion of the examination is critical. Only the most successful students at the GCE A-Level examination are selected for university places.

AGE OF ADMISSION
Age 16

LENGTH
Two years

PROGRAMME OF STUDY
Four streams of study are offered at the upper secondary level; syllabi are available and can be requested on a case-by-case basis.

ASSESSMENT AND PROMOTION
Students are continuously assessed through coursework, projects, and annual and semester examinations. Upon completion of upper secondary education, students sit for the General Certificate of Education, Advanced Level examinations. Admission to university is based on the success of the student in these examinations.

GRADING SCALE
Grading scale used for the Sri Lankan GCE A-Level examinations

* sub

VOCATIONAL/TECHNICAL EDUCATION

Courses in technical/vocational education and training are provided at technical colleges; around ninety training programmes are offered. These technical colleges, which form part of the formal education system, come under the Ministry of Education and Higher Education. A large number of agencies, both in the public and the private sectors, run non-formal programmes of technical/vocational education and training; coordination is ensured by the Technical Education Authority (TEA). Most programmes lead to the award of National Certificates and Diplomas.

AGE OF ADMISSION
Age 16 (minimum), although some programmes require completion of full upper secondary education for admission

LENGTH
Two to four years, generally

PROGRAMME OF STUDY
The curriculum for vocational and technical programmes depends on the field of study undertaken. Syllabi for individual programmes can be requested on a case-by-case basis.

ASSESSMENT AND PROMOTION
Students are continuously assessed through coursework, projects, and annual and semester examinations.

GRADING SCALE
Varies depending on the institution and the programme undertaken