• Says Min. is implementing NIE’s initial decision for a period of 1 hr. duration which was reduced by 10 mins. to 50 mins. per Min.’s ‘practical’ request

In the wake of opposition from teachers’ and principals’ unions to the proposed extension of school hours, the Ministry of Education stated that there would be no change in the decision to extend school hours until 2 p.m. from January of next year (2026).

Speaking to The Daily Morning, Ministry Secretary Nalaka Kaluwewa said that the Ministry is only implementing the reforms designed by the National Institute of Education (NIE), which has the technical expertise in the area. 

“We are not experts on this. The NIE is planning these reforms. They are the experts, and they have the technical role in it. What we are doing is implementing it,” he said.

He explained the NIE had initially proposed extending a school period to one hour, but the Ministry had raised concerns over the practicality of such a move. “If we do that, a number of practical problems will arise. So, after discussions it was reduced to some extent. That is when the 50-minute period decision came about. If one period is 50-minutes-long, then, we must extend school hours until 2 p.m.”

Speaking further, he said that reforms must be implemented according to the NIE’s recommendations and that such core principles cannot be altered. “Unions have the right to express their views, but that does not mean that we can change what has already been planned. A certain cost has already been incurred for these activities. Therefore, there is no change in extending the school period until 2 p.m. It will happen in January of next year.”

Earlier, teachers’ and principals’ unions warned that if the Government does not revise the proposed timetable before 7 November of this year (2025), they will stage a one-day strike when the new school term begins. The Ceylon Teachers Union General Secretary Joseph Stalin alleged that the reforms were being implemented arbitrarily by individuals at the NIE who lacked the relevant qualifications.

Under the proposed education reforms, which are expected to take effect in 2026, school hours will be extended from 7.30 a.m. to 2 p.m., an increase of 30 minutes from the current closing time of 1.30 p.m. The revised schedule aims to enhance the learning environment by introducing longer 50-minute periods and compensating for lost academic time from previous disruptions such as the Covid-19 pandemic.