The Ministry of Education has reaffirmed its commitment to implement wide-ranging education reforms from next year, despite strong objections from teacher unions which have warned of possible trade union action in December.
The proposed reforms include the introduction of a module-based and credit-based learning system and a 30-minute extension of the school day for students in Grade 7 and above.
Speaking to The Sunday Morning, Ministry of Education Secretary Nalaka Kaluwewa stated that the extension of school hours was a necessary and non-negotiable part of the reform package.
He explained that the ministry had held consultations with multiple stakeholders, including trade unions, before finalising the decision.
“We have consulted almost all the parties before making this decision,” Kaluwewa said. “The requirement for this change comes directly from the nature of the reform itself. When we are implementing these changes, a school time adjustment is essential.”
The ministry’s reform programme aims to replace the traditional, theory-based teaching approach with a more interactive and skill-oriented model. According to Kaluwewa, this shift demands more classroom engagement between students and teachers, which cannot be achieved within the current time structure.
“We are changing the entire system, moving away from the one-way method where teachers rely on textbooks,” he said.
“The National Institute of Education (NIE) initially required a one-hour period. After considering practical scenarios, we decided on 50-minute periods and reduced the total number of periods per day from eight to seven. This adjustment is fundamental and we are not in a position to readjust it.”
He added that continuing with the reforms under the existing time schedule would not be feasible, as it would defeat the purpose of the new curriculum model.
The reforms have, however, drawn severe criticism from several teacher unions, led by the Ceylon Teachers’ Union (CTU). Its General Secretary Joseph Stalin accused the ministry of implementing an “unresearched and untested system” that could harm students.
“We, the unions, agree that education reforms are necessary,” Stalin said.
“However, genuine reforms must offer solutions to existing problems. Extending school hours by half an hour does not address the real issues in education. The ministry has not conducted proper research or pilot testing. They plan to conduct the pilot testing after implementing the changes nationwide. If the reforms fail, it will have a detrimental effect on children,” he said.
The union leader further alleged that the new curriculum was not an original initiative of the current Government, but rather a revived proposal from the previous administration.
“This concept originated under the Gotabaya Rajapaksa Government,” he said. “It has already been advised against by several experts, including doctors, but the ministry has not listened. It has also failed to consult the unions properly. It only gave a presentation without any formal policy document.”
Stalin also criticised the proposed curriculum for increasing rather than reducing the academic burden on students. “Children currently sit for nine subjects, but the new system raises that number to 14,” he said. “If the ministry does not respond positively by 4 November, we will proceed with joint trade union action with all unions combined in the first week of December.”
Responding to the claims, Kaluwewa rejected allegations that the ministry had failed to consult the unions, asserting that two formal meetings had been held, but that representatives of the unions had walked away both times.
“I don’t know how they can claim we haven’t consulted them when they walked away both times. We meet them regularly on other matters, but on reforms they have not stayed to engage in meaningful dialogue.”
Kaluwewa emphasised that the ministry’s decision to extend school hours was final: “We have already issued the circular and we are not planning to backtrack. If the unions feel they must take trade union action, that is their right. But from our side, there is no basis to reconsider the time extension because it is essential for the reforms.”
He also dismissed the suggestion that the broader teaching community was opposed to the change, noting that informal feedback indicated limited resistance among teachers.
“We cannot consult every one of the 200,000-300,000 teachers individually,” Kaluwewa said. “But we have spoken privately with many, and we know that a large majority does not strongly oppose the half-hour extension.”
On the question of pilot testing, a major grievance raised by the unions, the Education Ministry Secretary acknowledged that while the NIE had not conducted extensive trials, limited pilot exercises had been carried out.
“The NIE conducted some form of pilot work, but not extensively. However, from the first term of next year, we will closely observe the implementation. We aren’t calling it a pilot, but we will be monitoring outcomes in real-life situations. If any issues arise, we are open to adjustments,” he said.