Education in Sri Lanka
 |
|
| Budget | 1.7% of GDP |
|---|---|
| Primary languages | Sinhala, Tamil and English |
| System type | Provincial |
| Total | 92.63% |
| Male | 93.63% |
| Female | 91.71% |
| Total | 350,000 |
| Secondary | 200,000 |
| Post secondary | 14,000 (10-12%) |
Education in Sri Lanka has a long history that dates back two millennia. The Constitution of Sri Lanka provides for education as a fundamental right. Sri Lanka's population had an adult literacy rate of 92.63% in 2015, which is above average by world and regional standards. Education plays a major part in the life and culture of the country and dates back to 543 BC. Sri Lanka's modern educational system was brought about by its integration into the British Empire in the 19th century. Education currently 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.
Primary school to higher education are primarily funded and overseen by three governmental ministries.
Exceptions to this system exist — 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.
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 an education system evolved based around the Buddhist temples and pirivenas (monastic colleges), the latter primarily intended for 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 6th century BC.
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