The Cabinet has approved the continuation of Sri Lanka’s education reform programme, with the new curriculum extending to Grades 2 and 6 in 2027 while the reforms introduced for Grade 1 this year continue.
The approval followed a proposal presented by Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya in her capacity as Minister of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education, NewsFirst reported.
The decision rests on three documents: a concept paper prepared by the National Education Commission, the National Curriculum Framework approved by the National Steering Committee for New Education Reforms, and the School-Based Evaluation and Assessment Guidelines, according to Daily Mirror.
How the timeline shifted
The National Curriculum Framework was initiated by the National Institute of Education (NIE) in 2019 and approved by Cabinet in March 2023.
After the change of government in 2024, it was decided to introduce the framework initially to Grades 1 and 6 in 2026, with adjustments to align it with the new administration’s education policies. The introduction of vocational subjects from Grade 10 onwards was also proposed.
A concept paper titled “Transformational Change in General Education in Sri Lanka” went to the Parliamentary Sub-Committee on Education Reforms in October 2025.
A Cabinet decision in January 2026 postponed the Grade 6 reforms to 2027, while Grade 1 proceeded as planned this year. Tuesday’s decision confirms that deferred Grade 6 rollout and adds Grade 2 alongside it.
Where preparations stand
The National Education Commission has reviewed and redrafted the concept paper. The revised document goes to the National Steering Committee and its sub-committees covering five areas: curriculum reform, human resource development, education administration and infrastructure, evaluation and assessment, and public awareness.
The revised framework cleared the NIE’s Academic Affairs Board and Institutional Council before the National Steering Committee approved it on 13 August 2026.
Activity books and teacher guides covering all three terms are being prepared for Grades 1 and 2 for 2027, with modules and teacher guides for Grade 6. The NIE has trained master trainers for primary and secondary subjects, and provincial-level teacher training plans have been finalised.
Note on the record
The two accounts differ slightly on the framework’s origin: Daily Mirror dates the NIE’s work to 2019 with Cabinet approval in March 2023, while NewsFirst describes the framework as “initially developed by the NIE in 2023.” NewsFirst also refers to the NIE’s “Governing Council” where Daily Mirror says “Institutional Council.”
LankaNewz previously reported the Prime Minister’s May statement that Grade 6 reforms would begin in January 2027.
