Grade 1 School Admission Sri Lanka 2027: New Circular & Quota Guidelines
The Ministry of Education, Higher Education, and Vocational Education in Sri Lanka has officially released Circular No. 25/2026, detailing the updated rules and guidelines for admitting children to Grade 1 for the year 2027 and onwards. This new directive supersedes the previous circular (25/2025) and establishes strict criteria to ensure transparency and fairness across government schools island-wide.
Primary Eligibility Criteria
To secure a placement for Grade 1 under the new regulations, parents must ensure their child meets the fundamental age requirement:
- Age Limit: The child must complete 5 years of age as of January 31 of the admission year (e.g., January 31, 2027).
- Documentation: A valid Birth Certificate is mandatory. If unavailable, an official approximate age certificate issued by the Registrar General or an authorized District Registrar must be presented.
- Children aged 6 years or older will only be considered after all eligible children under the age of 6 have been successfully admitted.
Grade 1 Admission Student Quotas & Categories
The Ministry has structured the selection process into six distinct categories, each allocated a specific percentage of the total available seats per school. Below is a breakdown of the official quotas:
| Admission Category |
Allocated Quota (%) |
| Close Residents (Proximity to School) |
50% |
| Children of Past Pupils (Alumni) |
25% |
| Siblings of Currently Enrolled Students |
14% |
| Children of Ministry of Education & University Staff (UGC) |
6% |
| Children of Government Officers on Annual/Exigency Transfers |
4% |
| Children Arriving from Overseas (with Parents) |
1% |
Key Classroom and Application Regulations
According to the new circular, the standard parallel classroom capacity is set to 40 students. This includes 35 students selected through the standard interview process and an additional 5 slots reserved under special operational duty concessions for armed forces and police personnel.
When applying, parents or legal guardians are strictly required to apply to at least six (6) schools, which must include a minimum of three (3) Provincial Council schools. Applications must be completed according to the official specimen form and sent via registered post to the respective school principals before the designated deadline published by the Ministry.
Resource From - https://www.gazette.lk/2026/06/grade-1-application-pdf-2027-moe-gov-lk.html
