A discussion to review the progress of implementing education reforms was held yesterday (26) at the Presidential Secretariat under the patronage of the Secretary to the President Dr. Nandika Sanath Kumanayake, with the participation of Secretary to the Ministry of Education Nalaka Kaluwewa and heads of institutions operating under the Ministry of Education of Sri Lanka.
It was noted during the meeting that the Ministry of Education is fully prepared to implement the new education reforms for Grade 6 from next year.
The new reforms are being implemented under five key pillars. It was revealed that, in accordance with instructions issued by the President during earlier discussions on the matter, five committees have been appointed to oversee and manage the implementation process. A separate committee, chaired by the Minister of Education, has also been established to monitor the activities and progress of these committees.
Officials of the Ministry of Education pointed out that the reforms introduced for Grade 1 in 2026 are being implemented in a systematic and effective manner.
Taking into account the recommendations of the expert committee appointed to guide the implementation of the reforms, preparations have been made to print the Grade 6 modules with the relevant revisions incorporated. All modules for the first school term of Grade 6 have already been printed, and it is planned to distribute them together with the modules for the second term.
It was also noted that the National Institute of Education and the National Education Commission of Sri Lanka are continuously involved in providing guidance to ensure the effective implementation of the reforms. Discussions further highlighted that the development of these modules is being undertaken by the Educational Publications Department.
Officials from the Ministry of Education stated that all equipment required for the implementation of the reforms has now been supplied to all 6,500 secondary schools across the country. They also noted that 373 schools requiring special development have been identified, and work to upgrade those institutions is currently underway.
The continuous involvement of the Presidential Secretariat in providing policy guidance and ensuring effective coordination among the relevant institutions in implementing the education reforms was commended by the Secretary to the Ministry of Education and other officials
It was also agreed that a further meeting would be held in three months’ to review the progress of the reform process.
Among those present were Senior Additional Secretary to the President Kapila Janaka Bandara, Chairman of the National Education Commission of Sri Lanka Professor A. Sarath Ananda, Vice Chairman Tilak Dharmaratne, as well as officials from the Ministry of Education and heads of institutions functioning under its purview. (PMD)