EDUCATION IN SRILANKA

Education in Sri Lanka

Education in Sri Lanka
Flag of Sri Lanka.svg
Ministry of Education
Ministry of Higher Education
National education budget (2007)
Budget: Rs. (5.4% of GDP)
General Details
Primary Languages: Sinhala, Tamil and English
System Type: Provincial
Literacy (2003)
Total: 97.3
Male: 95.8
Female: 93.0
Secondary: 200,000
Post Secondary: 14,000 (10-12%)
Attainment
Secondary diploma < %
Post-secondary diploma %
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Education in Sri Lanka has a long history which dates back two millennia and the Constitution of Sri Lanka provide for education as a fundamental right. The Sri Lanka's population has a literacy rate of 92%, higher than that expected for a third world country; it has the highest literacy rate in South Asia and overall, one of the highest literacy rates in Asia. Education plays a major part in the life and culture of the country and dates back to 300 BC. Modern education system was brought about with the integration of Sri Lanka in to the British Empire in the 1800s and it falls under the control of both the Central Government and the Provincial Councils, with some responsibilities lying with the Central Government and the Provincial Council having autonomy for others.

Contents

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[edit] Administration

From primary to higher education, are primarily funded and overseen by three governmental ministries.[1]
  • Ministry of Education - For schools, pirivenas (Schools for Buddhist priests), Teachers Training Colleges and Colleges of Education.
  • Ministry of Higher Education - For Universities
  • Ministry of Education Services - For supplying the physical facilities required for general education.
  • Ministry of Vocational & Technical Training - For vocational education and technical colleges.
However exceptions to this system exists. Mostly when it comes to tertiary with several public universities and institutes coming under the purview of different ministries. These divisions have led to a high degree of mismanagement and inefficiency over the years. History
Education in Sri Lanka has a history of over 2300 years, it is believed that the Sanskrit language was brought to the island from North India as a result of the establishment of the Buddhism in the reign of King Devanampiya Tissa from the Buddhist monks sent by Emperor Asoka of India. Since then the an education system evolved based around the Buddhist temples and Pirivenas (monastic colleges), the later primarily intended for the education of clergy (even to this day) and higher education. Evidence of this system is found on the Mahawamsa and Dipavamsa, the Chronicle of Lanka that deals with the history of the island from the arrival of Prince Vijaya and his followers in the sixth century BC.[2]


Education Guide Sri Lanka


The objective of publishing the ‘Education Guide Sri Lanka’ as a business venture is to provide all the available information on institutes, service providers and persons engaged in educational services. With years of experience in compiling information guides, we published the first edition of Education Guide in 2006.

The content of the Education Guide includes the following details:
  • Information on Government Educational and Training Institutes including Universities.
  • Information on Private Education and Training Institutes
  • Information on selected Overseas Universities
  • Provide the opportunity for Institutes, service providers and persons engaged in education and training services to promote themselves to the target groups by way of detailed listings and advertisements in Education Guide book and the web site..

Target Market
  • Students who seek the opportunity for higher education other than National Universities.
  • Students who wish to follow the private education stream from primary education onward.
  • Students who get through the GCE O/L, and seek higher education in different disciplines.
  • Students who wish to follow training courses in different disciplines.
  • Employed personnel who wish to obtain higher/further qualifications.

Marketing Plan  

  • The publication is being sold through all major bookshops and existing distribution channels.
  • Free Display Copies will be made available to:-
              All National Schools in Sri Lanka
              All Reputed International Schools in Western Province
  • Sold at the Colombo International Book Fair in the month of September.
  • Sold through online book stores
  • Direct sales from the office
Circulation

  • Over 4000 books are sold each year including over 700 books free distribution.

Other Publications

  • ‘Hands-on-Colombo’ - One of a kind Consumer Information guide providing information of suppliers for goods & services available in Colombo and the suburbs. The 12th edition is being updated in view of publishing in May 2010.
  • ‘Info - Travel Sri Lanka’ - comprehensive Travel Guide giving information to tourists both local and foreign on important places of interest, accommodation details, travel hints, road descriptions, linear road maps, etc.  The 6th edition is bein updated in view of publishing in September 2010.
  • ‘Sri Lanka for Kids’ – was launched in the year December 2004, a Guide book for Kids and Parents. It gives information on what is available for children in the country, such as education, sports, entertainment, shopping etc
  • ‘Motor Guide’ -  The 1st  edition was published in September 2008.