President calls for transformative education reform to drive national progress

President Anura Kumara Disanayake yesterday delivered a passionate call for sweeping educational reform during a defining speech in Parliament, stating that the proposed changes go beyond a curriculum revision and aim to transform the country’s economy and society by investing in its most valuable asset—human capital.

Declaring that “no child should leave school without completing 13 years of compulsory education,” he stressed that education reform is essential to breaking the cycles of poverty, illiteracy, and social inequality that have plagued generations. 

“This is not a political objective; it is a social imperative,” he asserted.

The President’s speech underscored the need for deep structural change in Sri Lanka’s school system, which currently suffers from under-enrolment, inefficiency, and poor alignment with economic realities. 

He revealed that as of 2024, over 1,500 schools had fewer than 50 students, with some rural schools operating with as few as two or three pupils and teachers—a serious misuse of public resources.

In response, the Government plans to amalgamate underperforming schools, expand access to better-equipped institutions, and ensure transportation for rural students to attend schools that offer quality education and social engagement. 

“Children should not grow up confined to limited village environments; they must be exposed to diverse experiences and opportunities,” he said.

With Sri Lanka lacking abundant natural resources, Disanayake emphasised that the country’s economic future depends on upgrading its human capital. He noted that only 3% of Sri Lanka’s expatriate workforce holds professional jobs, while the rest occupy semi-skilled or unskilled positions. 

The President called for a strategy to move Sri Lanka into the advanced global labour market through a high-quality, future-ready education system.

The reforms will also address stark social consequences tied to educational failure: 80% of imprisoned individuals and nearly 70% of drug addicts have not completed secondary education, the President said, linking crime and addiction to educational neglect.

A major pillar of reform is redefining vocational education. “Vocational training must not be viewed as a fallback for those who fail to enter university. It is not a lesser path; it is a different one—and it is foundational,” Disanayake declared.

The Government aims to establish 40 state-of-the-art vocational training centres by 2033, with at least two in every district. These centres will blend technical education with modern facilities and digital integration to ensure employability in a rapidly evolving job market.

The education reform program will begin gradually for Grade 6 in 2026, Grade 7 in 2027, Grade 8 in 2028, and Grade 9 in 2029. By 2029, students will be guided to identify their interests and strengths to pursue specialised pathways—be it history, agriculture, or technology—rather than being funnelled into a narrow set of careers. 

The President challenged the societal obsession with producing only doctors and engineers: “A functioning society requires dignity and professionalism across all fields.”

Highlighting the disconnect between outdated teaching practices and the needs of modern students, President Disanayake proposed that all educators undergo mandatory professional development every five years. “Some of my peers from (G.C.E) Advanced Levels are still teaching today, but the world has changed. We must ensure our teachers evolve with it,” he pointed out.

He also condemned political interference in provincial schools, which he said has compromised educational quality and deepened the divide between national and local institutions. The new system will be built on expert-driven content and policy, with politicians limiting their role to enabling reform, not dictating it.

The President lamented the increasing mechanisation of childhood, driven by relentless academic pressure and private tuition. He warned that Sri Lanka risks raising a generation “without music, poetry, literature, or empathy—a generation of machines.”

Calling for a reduction in academic burden, the reforms aim to give children a more balanced life, with opportunities for extracurricular and creative pursuits. “A child deserves more than a degree. A child deserves a life,” he said.

Ending his address, the President called on all political parties and social sectors to support the reforms. “Let us not oppose progress for the sake of tradition. This is not about politics; this is about the soul of our nation. Education is the seed of our transformation.”