Prime Minister and Minister of Education Dr. Harini Amarasuriya has stressed that school attendance is compulsory for students preparing for the GCE Ordinary Level (O/L) and Advanced Level (A/L) examinations, urging parents to ensure their children continue attending school.
Speaking at the 80th anniversary celebrations of Akkaraipattu Muslim National School on Sunday (15), the Prime Minister said every child must receive 13 years of education.
She expressed concern that some students stop attending school regularly when they reach O/L and A/L classes.
“Every child must attend school. Every child should receive 13 years of education. I particularly urge parents to ensure that their children attend school,” she said.
The Prime Minister also highlighted the government’s commitment to improving the quality of education, announcing that Rs. 749 billion has been allocated to education under the 2027 Budget, including Rs. 562.4 billion for school education.
She said the allocation was the highest in Sri Lanka’s history.
Referring to ongoing education reforms, Dr. Amarasuriya said the new curriculum introduced for Grade 1 in 2026 would be extended to Grades 2 and 6 in 2027.
She explained that the reforms aim to provide students with greater access to technology, vocational education and practical life skills within the school system.
The Prime Minister stressed that education should go beyond passing examinations, helping students develop leadership, teamwork, positive attitudes and the skills needed to succeed in a rapidly changing world.
She also emphasised that every child in Sri Lanka has the right to quality education, regardless of their background, and that ensuring equal educational opportunities remains a responsibility of the government. (Newswire)