- Digital safety framework for children below 16 in progress
Prime Minister and Education Minister Dr Harini Amarasuriya yesterday (9) said the Government is reviewing the maximum number of students permitted in a classroom, with policy changes to be introduced as part of ongoing education reforms.
Responding to questions raised by MPs Harshana Rajakaruna, Shanmugam Kugadasan, Ajantha Gammadda, and Nilusha Lakmali Gamage in Parliament, the Premier said the review was being carried out as part of a broader effort to improve the quality and accessibility of education.
She said several reforms were underway, including measures to address the psychological, health and social impacts of social media use among children below 16 years, strengthen teachers’ digital competencies, and introduce a more structured and transparent Grade One admission process from the 2027 academic year.
Dr Amarasuriya said a policy framework on child safety in the digital environment was being developed under the leadership of the Women and Child Affairs Ministry, with the participation of the Education, Health and Digital Economy Ministries, Police, the Computer Emergency Readiness Team, the Information and Communication Technology Agency, the National Child Protection Authority and other institutions.
A National Guideline on Child Safety is also being prepared, while the Probation and Child Care Services Department has launched a project aimed at protecting children from online violence, with steps being taken to obtain funding through the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation Development Fund.
With support from the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), a Digital Competency Framework for teachers has been developed. Around 750 trainers have already been trained through the Online Safety module, while teacher training is continuing through 106 Distance Learning Centres. The Online Safety, Cyber Security and Digital Well-being Guideline for school students is scheduled to be introduced in September.
A pilot programme is also being implemented to support families in addressing excessive mobile phone use among children, with technical guidance provided voluntarily by University of Colombo Professor Duminda Guruge.
The Premier said several child protection initiatives were also being implemented, including Diviyata Saviyak, which provides Rs. 2 million grants for the construction or purchase of houses for orphaned children, and Artha, which provides a monthly allowance of Rs. 5,000 for children who have lost both parents.
Other measures include facilitating birth certificate issuance for children without documentation, implementing the Senehasa pilot project in Ratmalana to support vulnerable children after school hours, introducing legislation to prohibit corporal punishment, and implementing the National Child Protection Policy from 2025 to 2029.
She added that the establishment of two video evidence recording centres at the Galle National Hospital and Anuradhapura Teaching Hospital was in its final stage, enabling child victims to provide evidence without appearing in court.
Meanwhile, a new circular on Grade One admissions will come into effect from the 2027 academic year, aimed at addressing disputes over proof of residence and improving transparency in school admissions.
Under the revised system, applicants can receive up to four marks for proof of residence based on specific criteria. These include families residing on State land for more than eight years and applicants able to provide electricity, water or assessment tax bills proving permanent residence for periods ranging from one to six years.
Addressing concerns over schools admitting students outside official waiting lists, the new circular requires schools to maintain a temporary waiting list limited to 50% of available vacancies. This may be increased up to 100% only with prior approval from the National or Provincial Education Director under exceptional circumstances.