- Early childhood development centres op. to be handled by Edu. Min.
- SJB finds edu reforms lacking plans/methods
Prime Minister and Minister of Education, Higher Education, and Vocational Education, Dr. Harini Amarasuriya announced yesterday (23) that Sri Lanka is shifting away from an education system solely focused on pass or fail examination outcomes.
The Government’s objective is to deliver quality education to children through the introduction of a module-based system.
Premier Dr. Amarasuriya made these remarks while addressing a media briefing held at the Ministry of Education in Isurupaya regarding the new education reforms scheduled for implementation next year (in 2026), according to the Prime Minister’s Media Division.
Responding to questions from journalists, she stated: “We, as teachers, parents, and students, have grown accustomed to an education system designed primarily around examinations. However, with this module-based system, students will engage in diverse learning activities and undergo continuous assessments.”
The General Certificate of Education (GCE) Ordinary Level Examination under the new curriculum is scheduled to commence in 2029, while the module system will be introduced for Grades One and Six starting in 2026. “We have three years to observe this system,” she explained. “Based on the evolving circumstances and needs, we are prepared to make the necessary adjustments. We have never claimed that these reforms are final. We expect to revise them in line with future developments. Furthermore, we welcome suggestions and feedback from all stakeholders.”
She also emphasised the need to reduce classroom sizes to 25-30 students, noting that some classrooms currently exceed 40 students due to admissions granted on the basis of recommendations from previous Ministers and Secretaries of Education. “Our Government has entirely discontinued this practice,” she affirmed. “Going forward, only the officially-sanctioned number of students will be admitted into schools,” she pointed out.
Addressing concerns about the Grade Five Scholarship Examination, she stated: “No decision has been made to abolish the Grade Five Scholarship Examination. In order to do so, we must first address disparities among schools, which cannot be resolved overnight. Our aim through these reforms is to alleviate the pressure and stress that this Examination places on children.”
She further stated that the reforms include a proposal for the ministry to assume full responsibility for the operation of early childhood development centres, including the training of early childhood educators.
The Deputy Minister of Education, Dr. Madhura Senevirathna also addressed the media briefing, stating: “A dedicated training programme for teachers has been planned and will commence next month (in August).”
Meanwhile, the main Opposition Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) Parliamentarian, Ajith P. Perera yesterday (23) criticised the Government over what he referred to as a lack of concrete plans and methods concerning the Government's reform processes.
Issuing a statement via social media, he said that although the adjournment debate on education reforms has been scheduled for today (24), the Government is clueless about the basis and methods for those reforms. He claimed that when he requested the 'white paper' that provides a layout for the proposed reforms, the Leader of the House Bimal Rathnayake was clueless about it and acknowledged the availability of only a PowerPoint presentation.
"The Opposition is ready to know what reforms are being done and to constructively respond to and criticise how these reforms are carried out," he said, adding that such support however requires a concrete plan.
Moreover, noting that this is a serious situation, Perera opined that the Government does not appear to have a concrete basis or a system in its reforms. Moreover, he added that as an administration that holds two-thirds majority power in the Parliament and the Executive Presidency, which favours the law-making process, the Government should be more systematic.