President Anura Kumara Dissanayake stated that the proposed education reform is not merely limited to curriculum revision but will simultaneously elevate both the social and economic spheres of the country. The President requested support for this initiative, emphasising that it is a social objective, not a political one. He further stressed that no child should leave school without completing 13 years of compulsory education.
“I intend to present a few points during the debate on education reforms.
No one can be satisfied with the current education system, the young generation it has produced, or the economy it has fostered. Therefore, we urgently need comprehensive education reform.
When discussions about education reform arise, issues such as curriculum content tend to dominate. However, what is being proposed here is far broader—this is a transformative shift for our entire society, economy and future.
Economically, we are a densely populated country with limited natural resources. Our greatest asset is human capital. Therefore, our national development strategy must prioritise enhancing our human resources through education. Yet, only 3% of Sri Lankans working abroad are professionals. We must secure a place in the advanced global labour market. To do so, we need a world-class education system.
On the social front, education is critical for lifting people out of poverty and reducing crime. Statistics show that most incarcerated individuals and drug users have low educational attainment. If we want to build a safer, more prosperous society, education must be the foundation.
Every year, tens of thousands of students drop out before completing their schooling. In 2024, over 20,000 children left school early. We must ensure no child is denied the right to 13 years of compulsory education. Our reforms include a monitoring system to follow up on students who are absent for more than three days, so interventions can be made early.
One of the biggest challenges lies within the school network itself. In 2023, 98 schools had no new admissions. Thousands of schools have fewer than 100 students—some even fewer than 10. These schools often lack extracurricular activities and proper peer interaction. The reform plan includes consolidating some of these schools, establishing new ones, and providing transportation where needed. The goal is to give every child access to a fully equipped, socially enriching learning environment.
We are also facing inefficiencies in how we use our teaching workforce. While the national teacher-student ratio averages 1:18, schools with fewer students can have ratios as low as 1:5, leading to underutilised resources. In some cases, schools have more teachers than students. We must reallocate these human resources wisely.
Education has become too mechanical. Children’s days begin at dawn with tuition and end late with more classes, leaving no room for creativity or play. They are growing up as machines, not as socially engaged citizens. We must lighten their academic load and restore balance.
Furthermore, our current education system funnels children toward only a few respected professions like medicine or engineering, ignoring a wide array of career paths. This creates unnecessary pressure and a narrow view of success. Every profession has dignity, and children must be encouraged to find their individual calling.
Education reform will roll out gradually, beginning with Grade 6 in 2026, and progressing annually. By 2029, we will begin helping students chart their future paths based on interests and abilities—not arbitrary social hierarchies.
Higher education must also evolve. Advanced vocational training centres are outdated and fail to retain students. We plan to build 40 new, modern vocational institutions by 2033, integrating technology and ensuring parity with the university system. Vocational education must be seen as equal, not inferior.
Teachers, too, need regular training. Many have not had significant professional development in decades. A new system of ongoing teacher training every five years will be implemented. We’ll maintain a surplus of teachers to support flexibility and capacity building.
Politicians must not decide curriculum content. That responsibility belongs to educators and experts. Our role is to set timelines and ensure implementation. We have tasked professionals with shaping the content of reform.
This initiative demands collective effort. Let’s engage all sectors of society in building an education system that supports our children’s dreams and our nation’s progress. The reforms are not about politics. They are about the future of Sri Lanka.”
