Abstract:
Education is the platform for the betterment of any society. As a citizen of Sri Lanka, we are
receiving free education since 1945 and this is free for all ethnic groups in our country without any
discrimination. Sri Lankans receive education under the free education system. Though education is
free, in the earlier periods, most of the Muslims did not continue their higher education. At present, a
notable number of students enroll in universities. This study attempts to find out the factors that push
Muslim girls to continue their university education. This study was conducted at University of
Peradeniya using the interview method and observation. It used 35 undergraduate Muslim girl
students as samples at the Faculty of Arts, the University of Peradeniya who were selected through
purposive sampling technique. This study found that socio-economic background and personal
interest push Muslim girls to continue their higher education. The majority of them are receiving
Mahapola Scholarship and it shows their family economic condition. Their personal interest and self respect in marital life are personal factors that motivate them to get higher education. The study
reveals that socially they have been pushed by family background, school support, social respect, and
the nature of society. Getting a job, poverty, institutional supports, welfare system of Islamic society
are economic factors that push them to enroll in university education. The study concludes that the
above factors influence Muslim girl students’ higher education. This free education system helps
these girls to uplift their whole life and social status. Muslim girls have realized that education and
work can give a better life to them.
