Guidelines for 2026 education reforms released, teacher training plans underway

Colombo, June 17 (Daily Mirror) - The Education Ministry announced that the guidelines for the new education transformation process set to be implemented in 2026 have already been released this August.

A key discussion on the necessary steps for teacher training under this new reform took place yesterday (16) at the National Institute of Education (NIE), Maharagama. The meeting was chaired by the Minister of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education, Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasooriya.

During the meeting, the Minister revealed that a new syllabus will be introduced for Grades 1 and 6 in 2026, while Grade 10 will adopt a new syllabus by 2028. The Ordinary Level (O/L) examination will be conducted under the updated curriculum starting in 2029. Additionally, vocational education is to be introduced from Grade 9 onwards.

Heads of each department of the NIE briefed the Minister on the current progress and plans for implementing these educational reforms through their respective divisions.

Prime Minister Amarasooriya emphasized that this transformation is based on five key pillars: syllabus revision, teacher training, provision of administrative and infrastructure facilities, developing an effective outreach process, and ensuring public participation. She also highlighted the responsibility of the NIE in nurturing teachers with positive attitudes to meet the demands of modern education.

The Minister instructed officials to assess how these reforms are being carried out and to establish a formal system for monitoring and evaluation alongside the new initiatives.