The Ministry of Education has announced the rollout of Grade 1 education reforms for the year 2026, with the distribution of activity books for Terms II and III already underway.

According to the ministry, the distribution process began earlier this month and is scheduled to be completed in all schools by April 30. 

Teacher training and syllabus awareness programs have already been conducted for provincial primary subject directors, teacher advisors, trainers, and teachers. 

Provincial directors have been instructed to complete any additional training sessions by May 16 to ensure smooth implementation.

The ministry further noted that schools which were unable to cover the subject units of Grade 1, Term I, will be required to complete those units during Term II. 

According to an Education Ministry statement, Principals have been directed to oversee this process. (Newswire)

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The Ministry of Education has announced that textbooks will not be issued for Grade 1 and Grade 6 students in the upcoming academic year, it was reported.

According to News First, Deputy Minister of Education Madura Seneviratne said, the measure has been taken under the new education reforms.

He said that, as such, instead, students in these grades will be provided with activity books and modular learning materials.

Deputy Minister Madura Seneviratne further said that printing of these materials has already commenced.

He noted that the weight of schoolbags for students in these grades will also be reduced as a result. (Newswire)

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The Ministry of Education has announced that Grade 1 classes for the 2026 academic year will officially commence on Tuesday, January 20, 2026, in all Sinhala, Tamil, and Muslim medium schools across Sri Lanka.

The directive applies to all government schools as well as private schools that are either state-assisted or non-assisted. 

According to the Education Ministry, schools have been instructed to complete the admission of students selected for Grade 1 before the official commencement date.

The ministry circular states that the official welcome ceremony for new Grade 1 students should include the following activities:

* A welcome by Grade 2 students.

* Participation of parents and invited guests.

* Hoisting of the national and school flags, followed by the singing of the national and school anthems.

* An orientation session for parents on the objectives of the Primary Education Reforms and the new Grade 1 curriculum.

* A simple and cheerful program organized by the primary section to welcome new students.

The Ministry has further directed that the event should highlight the importance of the new students while ensuring the program is conducted smoothly and without any inconvenience to children or parents. Schools have also been advised to secure the active participation of school development societies, alumni associations, and all relevant stakeholders to ensure the success of the event.

In addition, under the new Primary Education Reform Program, schools are required to conduct the Child Identification and School Readiness Program from January 2 to January 16, 2026 (excluding public holidays), based on the guidelines issued by the National Institute of Education (NIE).

Teachers of Grade 1 have been instructed to implement the activities outlined in the readiness program flexibly for any students admitted after the main period.

The circular containing these instructions has been sent to all Provincial Education Secretaries, Zonal and Divisional Directors of Education, and Principals of government and private schools with primary classes. (Newswire)

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The proposal to revise the current Education Ministry circular instructions for the admission of children to the first grade of schools in 2025 has received a Cabinet nod.

The government states the admission of children to the first grade of schools is done transparently and in a manner that minimizes irregularities.

The measures have been taken to ensure equal access to education consistent with the circular issued by the Ministry of Education.

Accordingly, the Cabinet approved the proposal presented by the Minister of Education to amend the current circular instructions based on the experience gained in the past years.

As such, it has also been approved to admit children to the first grade for the year 2025 and the following years according to the revised circular instructions. (Newswire)

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