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How do you evaluate Sri Lankan Credentials? & Effectively recruit Sri Lankans Presented by Nelum Senadira OSEAS Student Adviser US-Sri Lanka Fulbright Commission. EducationUSA. Supported by US Department of State Approximately 450 EducationUSA centers worldwide.
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How do you evaluate Sri Lankan Credentials? & Effectively recruit Sri LankansPresented by Nelum SenadiraOSEAS Student AdviserUS-Sri Lanka Fulbright Commission
EducationUSA Supported by US Department of State Approximately 450 EducationUSA centers worldwide. Centers are in different organizations, with various setups
Sri Lanka • Multi-ethnic • Multi religious • Population – 19 million • Democratic political system • Free market economy
Adult literacy rate 92% • Youth literacy rate 97% • State expenditure on education 3.1%
The System • Compulsory schooling • State funded education • English taught as a second language • Public, private, international schools • 15 State universities • Professional institutions
Concerns • Admission to Universities only on Sri Lankan A/Ls. • Of the qualified, only 2% will enter. • Ragging. • Constant closures due to political interferences. • Vigorous propaganda campaigns by others.
Sri Lankan Education System • Existing Reference: • AACRAO’s 1986 P.I.E.R publication“The Academic Placement of Students From South Asia: Bangladesh, India, Pakistan and Sri Lanka – A Workshop Project Report” edited by Leo Sweeney and Valerie Woolston • NOOSR’s 1992 Country Education Profiles “Sri Lanka, a comparative study”, by Australian Department of Employment, Education and Training • The Internet: • University Grants Commission www.ugc.ac.lk, • Ministry of Education: www.moe.gov.lk
Many changes during the last two decades Most notable: • Changes in Structure of education • Changes to the A/L
The PresentStructure of Education • Introduced in 1999. • Fully implemented in 2000. • Includes changes from Gr. 1-13.
Medium of InstructionRe-introduction of English as a choice for medium of instruction • School Structure • Primary: Gr. 1-5, Age of admission 5+, Curriculum begins at Gr. 1 • Junior Secondary: Grade 6-9 • Senior Secondary: Grade 10-11, G.C.E.(O/L) exam • Collegiate: Grade 12-13, G.C.E. (A/L) exam **Result: 13 years of High School Education**
Changes to the A/L • Reduction of subjects from 4 to 3 (6.6 hours per week per subject for two years ) • Introduction of core subjects: a) Common General Paper (CGP) - a reasoning test b) General English Paper (basic level) • Admission to University: a) a pass in all 3 subjects + CGP b) degree of difficulty level of subjects (Z-score).
University Level: • Undergraduate: LLB, BA & BSc (General) = 3years BA & BSc (Special)& B.Com = 4 years MBBS = 5 years • Postgraduate: Masters = 2 years PhD= 5 years
School Level • Formal educationbegins at grade 1. • Result: 13 years of High School education. • Re-introduction of English as a medium of education Things to Note Sri Lankan A/L Exam • 3 subjects • Common General Paper: measures General Knowledge & IQ • General English Paper: Not equal to the subject English. • Equal to UK GCE A/L exam.