Scholarship Examination

The Scholarship Examination (also known as the Grade 5 exam) is a highly competitive Sri Lankan examination first introduced in 1947,^[1] conducted by the Department of Examinations of the Ministry of Education. It is optional for students to undertake it during the final year of primary school (Grade 5; usually aged 9–10). Based on the results of the exam, students could transfer to prominent national schools. The exams are held in two mediums: Sinhala and Tamil.

History

The examinations were introduced by the late Dr. C. W. W. Kannangara, who took the initiative in establishing free education when he was the Minister of Education. Under this initiative, the government established Madhya Maha Vidyalayas (MMV - Central Colleges) that were scattered around the island. The Scholarship Examination was a means for gifted students from villages to move to better schools with government scholarships.

2021 scholarship exam - school cut-off marks

Boys Schools

Source: Ministry of Education, 2021^[2]

Girls Schools

Visakha Vidyalaya - 187
Devi Balika Vidyalaya - 185
Maliyadeva Girls' College - 183
Mahamaya Balika Vidyalaya - 181
Sirimavo Bandaranaike Vidyalaya - 180
Southlands College - 177
Rathnavali Balika Vidyalaya - 167
Sujatha Vidyalaya - 175
Holy Family Convent - 173
Anula Vidyalaya - 171
Girls' High School - 168
St, Paul's Girls School - 167
Sanghamitta Balika Vidyalaya - 165
Janadhipathi Balika Vidyalaya, Kurunegala - 163
Viharamahadevi Balika Vidyalaya, Kiribathgoda - 161
Pushpadana Girls' College - 159
Yasodara Devi Balika Maha Vidyalaya - 157
Sacred Heart Convent - 155
Ferguson High School - 153
St. Joseph Balika Vidyalaya, Nugegoda - 150

Controversies

In recent years the exam has become extremely competitive, therefore many claim that it puts unnecessary pressure on students at an early age. It has been considered as a "parent's" exam rather than a student's. It is necessary to carry out a study on the long-term success of the scholars.

This exam is now being used as a tool for Political leaders in Sri Lanka to neglect the development of rural schools. ^{[citation needed]}^[3]

References

^ "Education for Economic Development and Prosperity" (PDF). unesco.org. Ministry of Education, Sri Lanka. Retrieved 26 July 2023.
^ "Archived copy" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2018-03-17. Retrieved 2018-03-16.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
^ "Scholarship". pickascholarship. Scholar. Retrieved 26 Feb 2022.

[Education_for_Economic_Development_and_Prosperity-1] "Education for Economic Development and Prosperity" (PDF). unesco.org. Ministry of Education, Sri Lanka. Retrieved 26 July 2023.

[2] "Archived copy" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2018-03-17. Retrieved 2018-03-16.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)

[3] "Scholarship". pickascholarship. Scholar. Retrieved 26 Feb 2022.

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