Approximately 11% of students who begin primary school in Sri Lanka, or around 36,200 children, drop out before completing their General Certificate of Education (GCE) Ordinary Level exams. This data was shared by Professor Wasantha Athukorala, Director of the Humanities and Social Sciences Postgraduate Studies Department and Professor of Economics at the University of Peradeniya.
The statistics indicate that boys are particularly vulnerable to dropping out during this period. These findings are supported by population and statistical reports, which highlight the concerning trend of early school leavers.
An analysis of students who entered the public school system between 2008 and 2021 reveals that about 23,300 boys, or 14%, failed to complete their GCE O/L exams. Similarly, nearly 13,000 girls, or 8%, also left school before reaching this educational milestone.
In total, approximately 127,500 students, or 37% of those enrolled in Sri Lankan schools, exit the system before advancing to high school. Among them, 46% of boys—around 77,500—and 31% of girls—around 50,000—drop out before completing their GCE O/L exams.
These figures highlight a pressing issue within the Sri Lankan education system, with a significant portion of students leaving before completing their basic education.
