Entrance to a state university in Sri Lanka after sitting the most competitive examination in the country, the G.C.E. Advanced Level is the dream of almost every school student in Sri Lanka.
The limitation of recognized higher education facilities and the demand for quality higher education create a huge competition in the field of education and only a select few get to reap the fruit of free education in the country.
Under the Mahapola scholarship program introduced by late Lalith Athulathmudali, a monthly allowance of Rs.5000 is awarded to a select number of undergraduates every year.
An RTI was filed concerning the selection criteria of Mahapola recipients. Information was requested on the selection criteria while requesting an explanation as to why the scholarship is awarded to undergraduates of parents who are non government servants.
The Ministry of Higher education responded to this request clarifying the recipient selection criteria. It was explained that the Z score of the student at the G.C.E. Advanced Level examination and the annual income of the families of the students are the only factors that are taken into account when awarding the Mahapola scholarship.
This update was prepared by participants of the Information and Communication Training Workshop conducted by the Sri Lanka Press Institute (SLPI) through a grant funded by the United States Agency for International Development through the Strengthening Democratic Governance and Accountability Project Activity.
“The contents of this post are the sole responsibility of SLPI and do not necessarily reflect the views of USAID or the United States Government.”
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