Scholarship Examination
The Scholarship Examination (also known as the Grade 5 exam) is a highly competitive Sri Lankan examination conducted by the Department of Examinations of the Ministry of Education. It is optional for students to undertake it during the final year of primary school (Grade 5 (usually ages 9–10)). Based on the results of the exam, students could transfer to prominent national schools. The exams are held in two mediums: Sinhala, and tamil
History
The examinations were introduced by the late Hon. Dr. C.W.W. Kannangara, who took the initiative in establishing free education when he was the Minister of Education. Under this initiative the government established Madhya Maha Vidyalayas (MMV - Central Colleges) that were scattered around the island. The Scholarship Examination was a means for gifted students from villages to move to better schools with government scholarships.
School rankings
Boys Schools
1 Royal College - 193
2 Dharmaraja College - 192
3 Ananda College - 191
4 Maliyadeva College - 191
5 Kingswood College - 190
6 Nalanda College - 189
7 Richmond College - 189
8 St. Anne's College - 189
9 Rahula College - 187
10 St. Sylvester's College - 187
11 Mahinda College - 187
12 D. S. Senanayake College - 187
13 Isipathana College - 185
14 Thurstan College - 183
15 Bandaranayake College - 183
16 Vidyartha College - 182
17 St. Aloysius' College - 182
18 Mahanama College - 181
19 Joseph Vaz College - 180
20 Ashoka Vidyalaya - 179
Girls Schools
1 Visakha Vidyalaya - 194
2 Devi Balika Vidyalaya - 191
3 Maliyadeva Girls' College - 191
4 Mahamaya Balika Vidyalaya - 190
5 Sirimavo Bandaranaike Vidyalaya - 189
6 Southlands College - 189
7 Rathnavali Balika Vidyalaya - 188
8 Sujatha Vidyalaya - 188
9 Holy Family Convent - 188
10 Anula Vidyalaya - 186
11 Girls' High School - 186
12 St, Paul's Girls School - 185
13 Sanghamitta Balika Vidyalaya - 185
14 Janadhipathi Balika Vidyalaya, Kurunegala - 184
15 Viharamahadevi Balika Vidyalaya, Kiribathgoda - 183
16 Pushpadana Girls' College - 183
17 Yasodara Devi Balika Maha Vidyalaya - 182
18 Sacred Heart Convent - 182
19 Ferguson High School - 182
20 St. Joseph Balika Vidyalaya, Nugegoda - 181
Controversies
In recent years the exam has become extremely competitive, therefore many claim that it puts unnecessary pressure on students at an early age. It has been considered as a "parent's" exam rather than student's. It is necessary to carry out a study on the long term success of the scholars.
This exam is now being used as a tool for Political leaders in Sri Lanka to neglect the development of rural schools (source needed).