No child’s education will depend on parents’ wealth; PM vows equal future for every child

Colombo, Jan. 29 (Daily Mirror) - The government will never allow a child’s education to be determined by the financial capacity of parents, stressing that safeguarding every child’s future is a fundamental responsibility of the State, Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya said.

Speaking at the National Programme for the Implementation of New Education Reforms for children entering Grade One in 2026, held at BP/Jaya/Gunasekara Primary School in Athurugiriya, the Prime Minister and Minister of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education said the government is committed to transforming the concept of a “Dream School” into a reality.

She said the new reforms are aimed at creating a pleasant, pressure-free learning environment by reducing the weight of school bags and ensuring children can step into schools happily. A child-friendly school atmosphere will be a defining feature of the reform process, she added.

Dr. Amarasuriya said that plans are also in place to extend education reforms that could not be implemented for Grade Six students in 2026 to those children in the future, ensuring continuity and inclusivity in the reform agenda.

The Prime Minister said the reforms place strong emphasis on protecting the professionalism of teachers and enhancing their skills, recognising their role in shaping not only academic knowledge but also life values among students.

Highlighting a major shift in approach, she said the government is moving towards a student-centred education system instead of the long-standing teacher-centred model. She described the reforms as a transformational change, as they seek to overhaul the entire education system rather than merely revise curricula.

Special focus has been placed on safeguarding the mental well-being and freedom of children during the transition, with the objective of nurturing well-balanced future citizens, she said.

Under the new reforms, primary education will provide a strong foundation in technology, engineering and mathematics, promote environment-related learning based on scientific principles, and strengthen English and second-language education.

Criticising the decades-old competitive, exam-driven education model, Dr. Amarasuriya said it has contributed to higher dropout rates among students. She stressed that the government will not abandon its responsibility to ensure every child remains within the education system and receives equal opportunities to succeed.