May 20, Colombo (LNW): The Ministry of Education has commenced the application process for student admissions to Grade 12 under the Advanced Level (A/L) Vocational Stream for the 2025 academic year, offering an inclusive opportunity for students regardless of their G.C.E. Ordinary Level (O/L) examination results.
In a significant move aimed at expanding access to technical and practical education, the Ministry announced that passing the O/L examination will not be a prerequisite for enrolment.
This decision is expected to benefit students from diverse academic backgrounds, particularly those seeking alternative pathways into skilled employment or further technical education.
Students enrolling in this stream will begin Grade 12 under the A/L Vocational curriculum and advance to complete a National Vocational Qualification (NVQ) Level 04 programme in Grade 13. The programme spans 28 vocational disciplines designed to align with current job market demands.
These include, but are not limited to, Health & Social Care, Fashion Designing, Graphic Designing, Computer Hardware & Networking, Construction Studies, and Automobile Studies.
The initiative aims to bridge the gap between secondary education and employable skills, helping students transition directly into the workforce or continue higher-level vocational or technical education.
It also serves to counter the high dropout rates often linked to the academic pressures of the conventional A/L route.
A list of eligible schools and application forms in both Sinhala and Tamil languages are now available on the Ministry of Education’s official website: https://moe.gov.lk/2025/05/37984/
Applicants seeking additional information are encouraged to contact the Ministry between 9:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. on weekdays via the following numbers: 011 278 7136 or 011 278 6746.
