Primary and secondary education

Primary education in Sri Lanka lasts 5 years. Pupils aged 5-10 go through grades 1-5.

Types of schools

There are various types of schools for primary and secondary education. Some schools offer both primary and secondary education.

• government schools;
• private schools;
• Pirivenas (Buddhist centres);
• international schools.

National curriculum

In primary education, children are taught subjects in the 4 subject fields of the national curriculum: language, mathematics, environment related activities and religion.

In the language field, schools teach the native language (Sinhala or Tamil) in grade 1 and grade 2. Pupils are introduced to English in activity-based oral English (ABOE). This means that, although English is not an official subject in grade 1 and grade 2, children are already becoming acquainted with the language during daily activities.

From grade 3 on, pupils are taught English and the 2nd national language (Sinhala or Tamil) as subjects.

Grade 5 Scholarship Examination

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.

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

• junior secondary, grade 6-9;
• senior secondary, grade 10-13.

Junior secondary

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

Senior secondary

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. They are allowed to continue with grade 12 if they achieve the following examination results:

• 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.

National examinations

The Department of Examinations is responsible for the national examinations that students take at the end of key stage 1 (grades 10-11) and key stage 2 (grades 12- 13). The Department of Examinations also awards the official diplomas:

• General Certificate of Education (Ordinary Level); and
• General Certificate of Education (Advanced Level).

Please note: documents provided by secondary schools are thus not official.

After grade 11 students take examens 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 elective subjects (see Curriculum GCE O/L). Students can choose a maximum of 5 subjects to take in English.
• Diploma: General Certificate of Education (Ordinary Level), issued by 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.

Curriculum GCE O/L

In grade 6-9 the curriculum consists of 12 subjects:

• religion;
• Sinhala/Tamil language (first language);
• English;
• mathematics;
• science;
• history;
• geography;
• life competencies and citizenship education;
• aesthetic subjects: music, art, dancing, drama and theatre;
• practical and technical skills;
• health and physical education; and
• Sinhala/Tamil as a second language.

In key stage 1 (grades 10-11), students take 6 main subjects: Sinhala or Tamil (first language), English (second language), science, mathematics, religion, history. In addition, they take 3 or 4 elective subjects from 3 fields:

• languages and humanities;
• aesthetic subjects; and
• technical subjects.

After grade 13 students take examens 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.
• Diploma: General Certificate of Education (Advanced Level), issued by the Department of Examinations.

Please note:

• The subject General English does not count as 1 of the 3 subjects.
• In certain circumstances (if certain results are achieved), we can compare the the combination of GCE O/L and GCE A/L to a VWO diploma. Get in touch with us to make a request for a diploma evaluation.