Primary and secondary education

Primary education in Sri Lanka lasts 5 years. Pupils aged 5-10 go through grades 1-5. Pupils are taught subjects in the 4 subject fields of the national curriculum: language, mathematics, environment related activities and religion. From grade 3 on, pupils are taught English and the 2nd national language (Sinhala or Tamil) as subjects. At the end of the last year of primary education, pupils can take the Grade 5 Scholarship Examination.

Secondary education in Sri Lanka lasts 8 years and comprises 2 phases:

• lower secondary education (grade 6-9);
• upper secondary education (grade 10-13).

Lower secondary education

During lower secondary education (junior secondary), students aged 10-14 go through grades 6-9. In this phase, depending on the curriculum of the school, they can take a maximum of 5 subjects with English as language of instruction.

Upper secondary education

Upper secondary education (senior secondary) is divided into 2 stages:

• Key stage 1 (grades 10-11) is concluded with a national examination for the General Certificate of Education (Ordinary Level).
• Key stage 2 (grades 12-13) is concluded with a national examination for the General Certificate of Education (Advanced Level).

Since 2016, education has been compulsory for Sri Lankan students through grade 11.

At the end of the last year of primary education, pupils can take the Grade 5 Scholarship Examination. This is a competitive test administered by the Department of Examinations. The aim of the test is:

• to select excellent pupils from poor families for scholarships;
• to select the best pupils for leading secondary schools.

After grade 11, students take national exams for the General Certificate of Education (Ordinary Level) . The General Certificate of Education (Ordinary Level) is often abbreviated as GCE O/L.

• Duration: 6 years (4 years, grades 6-9 + 2 years, grades 10-11).
• Content: the curriculum comprises main subjects and electives. In grade 6-9 the curriculum consists of 12 subjects:
  • aesthetic subjects: music, art, dancing, drama and theatre;
  • English;
  • geography;
  • health and physical education;
  • history;
  • life competencies and citizenship education;
  • mathematics;
  • practical and technical skills;
  • religion;
  • science;
  • Sinhala/Tamil language (first language); and
  • Sinhala/Tamil language (second language).
    In key stage 1 (grades 10-11), students take 6 main subjects:
  • English (second language);
  • history;
  • mathematics;
  • religion;
  • science; and
  • Sinhala or Tamil (first language).
    In addition, they take 3 or 4 electives from 3 fields of study:
  • aesthetic subjects;
  • languages and humanities; and
  • technical subjects.
    Students can choose a maximum of 5 subjects to take in English.
• Admission requirements: concluded primary education.
• Function of the diploma: access to the 2nd stage of secondary education (grade 12-13) or secondary vocational education.
• Diploma: General Certificate of Education (Ordinary Level) from the Department of Examinations.

Please note: 'at least a VMBO-T diploma' means that the diploma has a higher level than a VMBO-T diploma, but a lower level than a HAVO diploma. The level of the diploma lies between a VMBO-T diploma and a HAVO diploma.

After grade 13, students take national exams for the General Certificate of Education (Advanced Level) . The General Certificate of Education (Advanced Level) is often abbreviated as GCE A/L.

• Duration: 2 years (key stage 2: grades 12 + 13).
• Content: there are 4 streams: science, commerce, arts and technology. Students choose at least 3 subjects within their stream. The national examination comprises these 3 (or more) subjects, an English language test (General English) and a Common General Test.
• Admission requirements: a GCE O/L with a passing grade for 6 subjects, including at least a credit pass as exam result for their first language (Sinhala or Tamil), mathematics and 3 other subjects.
• Function of the diploma: access to higher education.
• Diploma: General Certificate of Education (Advanced Level) from the Department of Examinations.

Please note: in some cases (if certain results are achieved), we can compare the the combination of GCE O/L and GCE A/L to a VWO diploma. Please contact us for a credential evaluation.