January 04, Colombo (LNW): A preliminary report into the controversy surrounding the Grade 6 English learning module has been handed over to the Ministry of Education, as authorities intensify efforts to determine how an unsuitable website reference found its way into official teaching material.
According to Education Ministry Secretary Nalaka Kaluwewa, the initial inquiry examined the processes involved in preparing and approving the module, with particular attention paid to the source of the questionable content.
Alongside this, the National Institute of Education is conducting its own internal review to assess possible procedural lapses.
Kaluwewa said arrangements are underway to appoint an independent committee to pinpoint responsibility for the error and recommend corrective action. At the same time, subject specialists within the Ministry have been asked to propose urgent revisions to the module so that it can be safely issued to schools without further delay.
Officials indicated that the revised material will be released to students as soon as the recommended amendments are completed and approved, in order to minimise disruption to classroom teaching.
Separately, the Criminal Investigation Department has accelerated its own inquiry after a formal complaint was lodged by the Education Ministry. Investigators have already recorded statements from several individuals, including senior officers of the National Institute of Education. To ensure the investigation proceeds without interference, the Director General of the NIE has temporarily relinquished her duties, pending the outcome of the ongoing probes.
