The Scholarship Examination (also known as the Grade 5 exam) is a highly competitive Sri Lankan examination first introduced in 1944, 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.
Boys Schools Royal College, Colombo - 188 Dharmaraja College, Kandy - 187 Ananda College, Colombo - 186 Maliyadeva College - 184 Kingswood College - 181 Nalanda College - 179 Richmond College - 176 St. Anne's College - 174 Rahula College - 171 St. Sylvester's College - 169 Mahinda College - 166 D. S. Senanayake College - 164 Isipathana College - 161 Thurstan College - 159 Bandaranayake College - 157 Vidyartha College - 155 St. Aloysius' College - 154 Mahanama College - 152 Joseph Vaz College - 150 Ashoka Vidyalaya - 147
Source: Ministry of Education, 2021
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.
References