• Post-training they will train teachers at the zonal level 

The Ministry of Education, Higher Education, and Vocational Education stated that training would begin early this month (August) for about 7,500 selected master trainers, who will in turn train teachers across the country as part of the preparations for the education reforms scheduled to start in January 2026.

Speaking to The Daily Morning, the Secretary to the Ministry, Nalaka Kaluwewa said that the initial training would take place at the National Institute of Education and that the selected group includes both experienced teachers and teaching instructors from all districts. “These master trainers are the first group that we’re preparing. Once they complete their training, they will begin training teachers at the zonal level. It’s a step-by-step process. The focus right now is on getting this first group ready, and from there, the training will be extended to all teachers.”

He also said that discussions with the relevant unions would be held this week, adding that the ministry had already spoken to them (unions) earlier and is continuing the dialogue as the training begins. “Teacher training is the most important part of this effort. But, this is just the beginning. The training won’t end with these sessions. It’s going to be a continuous process. We will monitor the rollout of the reforms and work to address any issues that come up along the way.”

The ministry’s statement comes amid criticism from the Ceylon Teachers' Union (CTU), which recently claimed that there has been no clear plan so far to prepare teachers for the reforms. Speaking to The Daily Morning on an earlier occasion, CTU President Priyantha Fernando said that although the Government has announced reforms for Grades One to Six starting next year, teachers are yet to receive any formal training to support the transition.

The ministry recently announced that the number of subjects at the General Certificate of Education Ordinary Level Examination would be brought down to seven under the initial reforms. Students will be required to study five core subjects — Mathematics, English, their Mother Tongue (Sinhala/Tamil), Religion, and Science — and choose two additional subjects from options such as Technology, Aesthetics, Management and Entrepreneurship, Humanities and Social Sciences, and Health and Physical Education. The number of teaching periods per day will also be reduced to seven, with each period lasting 50 minutes.