The Ministry of Education has directed all government and government-approved private schools to complete the prescribed 2026 syllabi for both the Ordinary Level and Advanced Level examinations on time, with the Secretary stating that the exams will be held on the scheduled dates as planned.
Secretary to the Ministry of Education Nalaka Kaluwewa issued the notice to principals and senior education authorities, NewsFirst reported, instructing schools where syllabus coverage has been delayed to take immediate steps to close the gap with a prior plan and by utilising additional teaching time where required.
Kaluwewa stated that the 2026 G.C.E. Ordinary Level and Advanced Level examinations are scheduled to be held on the relevant dates as per the timetable, and that students must be prepared by completely covering the prescribed syllabus. The directive functions as a formal government rebuttal to recent political calls for a postponement.
The Department of Examinations released the 2026 A/L timetable for August 10 to September 5 earlier this month over 22 days of morning and afternoon sessions. The Ministry separately confirmed on Friday that schools will remain open until August 7 under the first phase of the third school term, giving candidates nine school days of final classroom revision before the national paper begins.
The Secretary’s circular comes a day after Sarvajana Balaya leader Dilith Jayaweera urged the government to reconsider the August window on grounds that students had lost classroom time. The Ministry’s response signals that the schedule will hold, with the onus placed on schools to use the remaining term — including any extension hours principals consider necessary — to close any outstanding syllabus gaps before the candidates sit the papers.
Source: Education Ministry Orders Schools to Complete 2026 O/L and A/L Syllabus on Time — NewsFirst, June 13.
