Education System History Before Independence After Independence Ministry of Education National Education System Higher Education Tertiary & Vocational Private Education System Educational Institutes Pre-Schools Primary & Secondary Government Schools Private Schools International Schools Higher Education National Universities Tertiary & Vocational Training Institutes Educational & Training Institutes Vocational Training Institutes National Universities Universities Study Programmes The Open University		Before Independence
				Ancient Period Since the arrival of Vijaya and his followers about the year 543 BC, the Brahmins enjoyed a prominent status in Sri Lanka. The descendants of the royal family received their education under the Brahmins, in their homes ( ‘Gurukula’ or ‘Gurugedara’ ). It is believed that 236 years after the passing away of the Buddha, a firm foundation was laid for Buddhist Civilization and for a Buddhist Education System with the introduction of Buddhism to Sri Lanka by Arhanth Mahinda, during the reign of King Devanampiya Tissa. After the introduction of Buddhism the establishment of monastic institutions was mainly responsible for spreading of education. Pirivenas or monastic colleges primarily intended for the education of clergy students, were established and patronised by the kings of old. The first such institution which helped the continuation of the study of languages and Buddhism for many centuries was set up at the Mahavihara in Anuradhapura. This paved the way for the discontinuation of the “Gurugedara” or “Gurukula” system (home of the teacher) and for the establishment of a system of Buddhist Educational Institutions. The Monks soon became proficient in the teachings of the Buddha and the village monastery gradually became the centre of learning for the area. All this religious knowledge was handed down orally for generations. Bhikkus who had a particular section of the Dhamma in Pali committed to memory communicate the same to the pupils until the latter in their turn, could recite that section by heart. It was not for the reason that the art of writing was unknown at that time. Inscriptions have been engraved on rocks in caves occupied by monks and writing material like the bark of trees, leaves of the palm tree, strips of bamboo were no doubt in use among certain groups of people. King Vattagamini (103 BC) extended his patronage to another monastic college, the Abhayagirivihara at Anuradhapura, which broke away from the earlier establishment and in the course of time became its rival. The Teachers of Abhayagirivihara often differed from those of the Mahavihara in the interpretation of the Dhamma. The members of Mahavihara and their rivals engaged themselves in propagating their faith in neighbouring countries and it is possible that these Bhikkus acquired a knowledge of these foreign languages in which they were expected to preach. During the reign of King Mahasen, Jethavanarama monastery was founded, where the curriculum was not confined only to religion, but also other languages, history of many countries, Vedic and Post - Vedic literature, medicine, astronomy, poetry, architecture etc. As more and more monasteries or temples opened up in villages, more villagers started to come to listen to the Bhikkus preaching the Dhamma, and these temples became the institutions for primary education. The Pirivena where the Bhikkus received their education in the Dhamma became the institution for secondary education; and the Mahavihara with learned staff, facilities for research and libraries turned out to be the centre for tertiary education. During the Polonnaruwa period ( 1073 - 1215 AD) more pirivenas were started and the curriculum included Sinhala and other languages, art, etc. Non formal education provided an education of a very high standard with regard to subjects like Weaving, Metal work, Gold and Silver work, Clay Pottery, Tailoring, Architecture, Town Planning, Construction of Irrigation Systems, Art and Painting, Literature etc. This trend continued during the Dambadeniya period too. Architecture of Ruwanweli Seya, Jethawana and Abhayagiri Dagobas, Engineering and Irrigation systems of Reservoirs in Anuradhapura and Polonnaruwa is living evidence of the high standard of education imparted to students of these various disciplines in the older days. Unfortunately this knowledge has not been transmitted in any form of writing and is lost to the future generations. During the Dambadeniya Period (1232 - 1271AD ) many more Pirivenas such as Maha Mahinda Pirivena, Buwanekaba Pirivena, Perakumba Pirivena, Prathiraja Pirivena and Mayurapada Pirivena were started and many Buddhist literature books - Pujawaliya, Saddharmaratnawaliya, Attanagaluwansaya were written. The number of Buddhist education institutions increased gradually and by 1500 AD there were several Pirivenas which became famous due to the Bhikkus who contributed immensly for the development of the Sinhala Language and Literature. Some of these institutions were: Thotagamuwe Sri Vijayaba Pirivena - (Thotagamuwe Sri Rahula Thero) ,Veedagama Ghanananda Pirivena - (Veedagama Maithree Thero), Keragala Padmawathie Privena - (Keragala Vanaratana Thero) and Pepiliyane Sunethradevi Pirivena - ( Named after the Mother of the king who built it.) Portuguese Period - (1505 - 1658 AD ) In 1505, the Portuguese invaded Sri Lanka and ruled the maritime provinces of Sri Lanka for 153 years. They introduced an education system in these areas and started many schools in Kotte and Jaffna. The main objective of their education was to convert Sri Lankans to the Catholic faith. The teachers were Catholic priests and they taught Catholic religion, Languages and Arithmetics. The Dutch Period: ( 1658 - 1796 AD) In 1658, The Dutch conquered the areas which were under the Portuguese and continued to rule for 138 years until the British ousted them in 1796. They too continued the education and converted people to Christianity. They trained the converted people to work for them. Under Portuguese education system males were given both primary and secondary education and females were given only primary education. During this period Buddhist monks were encouraged to spread Buddhism by Velivita Saranankara thero. The British Period: (1796 - 1948 ) When the British occupied Sri Lanka in 1796 and conquered the Kandyan Kingdom 1815, they too continued to convert locals to Christianity and impart education. They too distributed books on Christianity with a view to converting people. The 1805 – 1824 Period was known as the Missionary Period as many Christian Missionary institutions were active in setting up schools and giving education throughout the country. In addition to export of spices the British embarked on investment in planting coffee, a new venture in agriculture. The road network was constructed to assist transport of goods to plantations and to the harbours in Colombo and Galle. In order to establish a proper supervision and administration on education, the Colebrook Commission made recommendations for the reorganization of the Education System in the country in 1831. Under these recommendations, a commission to manage schools were established and an academy for training of teachers was established. In 1841, recommendations of the governor made a remarkable change in the education system of the country. They were, Reorganizing all government schools and linking the Missionary schools to the government schools, Admit children to all schools regardless of the religion, Take steps to develop vernacular schools, Supply books and arrange for translation of books in to National Languages, Start an Institution for Training teachers and appoint Inspectors of Schools. A system of primary schools, Bilingual Schools and Vernacular schools was started. Central Schools and Girls Schools were started in Colombo, Galle and Kandy. In 1865. the Morgan Committee made recommendations after a request by Mr. M. Kumaraswami, a member of the then Legislative council. After the 1841 implementations a Priest from Church of England was appointed as the Chairman of the Commission, Teaching Christianity in schools began once again. This was the reason that another committee was established and its recommendations were; establishment a Department of Public Instruction under a Director of Education (established in 1869, Supervision and opening or closing of schools came under this Department and the Missionary schools came under the supervision of the Department., appointing an Inspector of Schools for every District, abolition of the Central School Commission, government to take the responsibility of Education, primary education to be in the National Languages and Secondary Education to be in English medium, Colombo Academy to be reorganized and offer Scholarships to study in Oxford university in England, A Technical Schools and an Institution to train Technical Teachers to be started, Schools for girls to be opened, Institutions for training teachers for vernacular schools and the other for training teachers for Bilingual schools to be opened. During the British rule, the following Institutions were established by the government: Medical College - Medical College of Ceylon was established in 1870 and was recognized by the British Medical Association in 1889. Law College - Started in 1895 School of Agriculture - A School of Agriculture was opened in Colombo in 1884 and in 1909 in Peradeniya. Technical College – In 1893 Government Technical College was started in Colombo. From 1881 Technical Schools, mainly Carpentry Schools were opened in villages and by 1930 there were 146 such Technical Schools through out the Island. University College - The University College was established in Colombo in 1921 to prepare students for the external examinations of the University of London. There was no provision for Higher Education by this time. Buddhist, Hindu and Muslim Schools Buddhist and Hindu Children were compelled to attend the Christian schools as there were many Christian schools, and they were compelled to follow classes in Christianity. As a result Buddhist organizations with the help of leading Buddhist Priests started Buddhist schools in lands and buildings donated by parents, in various parts in the country and registered as Assisted Buddhist Schools. Similarly Hindus and Muslims too started Hindu Schools and Muslim Schools in areas where they lived in the country. In 1880 Col. Henry Steel Olcott came to Sri Lanka and he organized the Buddhist Theosophical Society and started a number of Buddhist Schools such as Ananda College, Colombo; Dharmaraja College, Kandy and Mahinda College, Galle. By 1900 there were 142 such Buddhist schools with 18,700 children. Buddhist schools for girls were also started. Similarly various Hindu Organizations started Assisted Hindu Schools and by 1900 there were 45 schools with over 5000 students while Muslims started Muslim Schools in Kandy, Zahira College in Gampola and Colombo in 1892. Education during the State Council 1931 - 1947. Dr. C.W.W.Kannangara Dr. C.W.W.Kannangara was the first Chairman of the Executive Committee for Education and the country’s first Minister of Education. Dr. Kannangara introduced free education for all children from kindergarten to the University, adopted the vernaculars as the media of instruction, established Central Schools and Junior Schools were established for the first time for poor children in rural areas. The opportunities for education at all levels were opened regardless of caste, creed or social status. 53 Central schools were established in 1941, with the best available facilities and teachers providing an education on par with the best fee-levying schools.