Supporting Sri Lanka’s students and their education prospects
View(s):August is the time for holidays and celebrating the end of May/June UK school exams. More importantly, supported by their parents and schools, students look to plan and map out the next stage of their education journey. Having been through this experience myself, I know it can be an exciting yet daunting time! I’m proud that at the British Council we play such a key part in that journey. As the May/June exams sessions have come to an end we have just delivered thousands of school exams across Sri Lanka.
Sri Lanka places great importance on education and it is a fundamental right in its Constitution. With a population of nearly 22 million people, young people make up almost a quarter of Sri Lanka’s population. The Next Generation Report from 2019 (our global British Council research series) indicated that young people are predominantly concerned with education and employment – my sense, is that in the aftermath of a global pandemic, the sentiments remain the same.
In the past five years the number of Sri Lankan students enrolled in distance learning courses offered by the UK educational institutions has increased to 69%. In 2022 the number of such students was 35,855. Today young Sri Lankans see UK international qualifications as a way to access global opportunities and unlock their natural interest in the world.
This is where the British Council comes in. We work closely with the Government of Sri Lanka to strengthen local school systems and ensure that students that choose to take a UK international qualification are able to do so across the country.
Our school exams are delivered through our British Council Partner Schools. In Sri Lanka we have large Partner School Networks with 115 schools in 52 cities divided into 12 regions across the country, delivering world class UK international qualifications.
We support Partner Schools by providing a secure, compliant and consistent exams delivery service, dedicated account management support, and professional development and training support for teachers and school leaders. Our support enables schools to make a difference to young lives in local communities across Sri Lanka.
We have numerous examples of students from across our British Council Partner Schools who have recently taken an exam with us.
Sauda Shaheen, a student of Ilma International Girls’ School, Colombo recently took a school exam with us. She said, “The Summer 2023 series was my second time taking a British Council delivered exam and the whole process of administering the exam filled me with awe. The entire drill from the start until the very last person set foot outside the exam hall, was meticulously streamlined in the best way possible’’.
On her future, Sauda says, “I intend to study Computer Science at university. Whether it be in Sri Lanka or abroad, time will tell. Regardless of my destination for university studies, it is reassuring to me that I’ve attained a globally-recognised, trusted qualification and I’m assured of the recognition it will garner!”
Another student, Shenalie Mendis from Musaeus College, Colombo, said, “After taking Cambridge O Level and Pearson Edexcel AS Level examinations delivered by the British Council, I have to say that undertaking these examinations were truly some of my fondest memories.
I intend on doing my higher studies in nuclear science and having [a] UK [qualification] would help me immensely because the syllabus covers a vast area of knowledge. I would like to thank the British Council for giving students the opportunity to undertake globally recognised UK examinations and allowing us to uplift our knowledge to the next level.”
These students will be the future computer scientists, accountants, doctors, artists and engineers who will contribute to a more prosperous future for Sri Lanka. Some of these candidates will continue to study in Sri Lanka while others may choose to go abroad for further qualifications. Our aim remains to ensure inclusive and quality education for all.
Assessment is but one of a wide number of areas of our work, all of which is rooted in our core purpose: to support peace and prosperity by building connections, understanding and trust between people in the UK and Sri Lanka. Exams season may be over now but our connection with Sri Lankan students, their parents, teachers and schools will remain.
- Orlando Edwards, Director
Sri Lanka, British Council
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