COLOMBO (News 1st) – The Ministry of Education issued a circular stating that the Grade 5 scholarship examination is no longer mandatory.

The Ministry of Education stated that students can decide to face the examination following their parents’ consent. It is a well-known fact that the Grade 5 scholarship examination puts an unbearable burden on both underprivileged students and students from national schools alike.

The ministry declared that the purpose of the continuation of the examination on non-compulsory basis is to determine skilled underprivileged students in order to provide them with funds and also as a criterion to qualify students for Grade 6 in schools.

The ministry added that as per circular 08/2019, all students except for the underprivileged will not be forced to face the Grade 05 scholarship examination.

In the event a student from a primary school which only provides education to the 05th Grade decides not to face the examination, the Zonal Education Director is vested with the power to direct such students to a school in the locality.

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