The government today (13) announced a decision reached by the Cabinet of Ministers yesterday (12) to postpone the implementation of the proposed education reforms for Grade 6. However, the reforms for Grade 1 are to proceed as planned.
Cabinet Spokesperson, Minister Nalinda Jayatissa told the weekly Cabinet press briefing that the Cabinet has decided to implement proposed education reforms for Grade 6 starting in 2027, instead of 2026, following recent controversy over content in the Grade 6 English module.
He said the decision was based on the findings of a Criminal Investigation Department (CID) probe into the inclusion of an inappropriate web link in the module, as well as a separate Education Ministry investigation and consultations with education officials led by the president.
He further noted that the Cabinet has decided to allow additional time to further review the English curriculum and address concerns raised over its content and implementation. The existing Grade 1 module will continue without any changes, he said.
“The government clearly believes that education reform cannot go forward without minimum public confidence,” Jayatissa said.
He noted the heightened public concern over the matter only reflects the value placed on education by citizens, which the government acknowledges and appreciates.
Minister Jayatissa also criticized previous governments, stating that years of mismanagement had led to serious issues in the education sector, including a lack of syllabus updates for over a decade and major gaps in human resource planning and recruitment.
Meanwhile, the satyagraha campaign launched by former Minister Wimal Weerawansa together with representatives of civil organizations outside the Education Ministry concluded this evening following the government’s announcement that the new education reforms related to Grade 6 will be postponed until next year.
The satyagraha, which began yesterday (12), was staged demanding the immediate withdrawal of the new education reform process and calling for Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya to resign from her post as Education Minister.
However, Minister Jayatissa stated that “Wimal Weerawansa is free to continue his campaign, as long as it does not obstruct the activities of the Education Ministry, the Department of Examinations, or inconvenience the public,” and that “He (Weerawansa) can protest until the Prime Minister and Education Minister are removed, but that is his decision — he might have to stay long, no one will give Thambili to him.”
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