January 05, Colombo (LNW): Schools across the country resume the first term today (05) for most grades, though students in Grades 1 and 6 will begin under a staggered schedule introduced as part of recent education reforms.
The Ministry of Education announced that while the academic term opens for the majority of students, Grade 6 classes will commence later this month, on the 21st. For Grade 1 pupils, today will be limited to an orientation programme designed to help young learners settle into the school environment, with formal lessons set to begin on the 29th.
Alongside the revised term schedule, the Ministry has issued a new circular outlining changes to teachers’ workloads. Under the updated guidelines, teachers are expected to handle 35 periods per week in total, with at least 28 of those devoted to classroom instruction, excluding approved duty concessions.
Supervising teachers must conduct a minimum of 14 teaching periods weekly, while assistant principals and deputy principals are required to cover at least 10 and eight periods respectively.
In addition, adjustments have been made to the daily timetable for Muslim schools. These schools will continue to operate on Mondays from 7.30 a.m. to 1.30 p.m. From Tuesday to Thursday, classes will run until 2.15 p.m., with a short interval set aside around midday for religious observances. On Fridays, the school day will conclude at 11.15 a.m., allowing students and staff time to attend mosque, with only four teaching periods scheduled for the day.
Education officials say the changes are intended to better balance academic requirements, administrative responsibilities and religious considerations within the school system.
