Opposition parties are urging the government to consider previous education reform proposals made by experts when designing current changes. Highlighting the need for inclusivity and expert input, key opposition figures, including MPs from Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB), have stressed the importance of reviewing prior suggestions to ensure a balanced approach to education reform in Sri Lanka.
The Sri Lankan government’s current education reform proposals have sparked debate, with opposition parties calling for the inclusion of earlier suggestions put forward by experts. Key figures from the opposition, including Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) MP Rohini Kaviratne, a teacher by profession, have voiced their concerns and called for a deeper consultation process.
In a statement made today, Kaviratne emphasized the importance of reviewing previous education reform proposals, which have been prepared with expert input and have garnered support across political parties. She suggested that education reforms should be presented in the form of a white paper, which would allow for broader public discussion and input.
“There are sets of proposals on education reforms that have been prepared earlier,” Kaviratne stated. “All political parties have agreed to these, as these were prepared by experts. Therefore, it is important to consider these when preparing education reforms.”
She also raised concerns about the lack of emphasis on subjects such as history, aesthetic studies, and religion, questioning whether the current focus aligns with Sri Lanka’s educational needs.
Former Minister of Education Akila Viraj Kariyawasam echoed Kaviratne’s concerns, urging the government to review the earlier proposals approved by the cabinet during the Yahapalana government. Kariyawasam stressed that education reforms should transcend politics, as they are directly tied to the future of the nation’s children. “No one will go against effective education reforms,” he added.
In response to the opposition’s claims, Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya clarified that subjects like history and aesthetic studies are still part of the curriculum, included as elective subjects for lower-grade students and as part of the humanities curriculum for grades 12 and 13. She also emphasized that the new reforms were developed in consultation with experts and were not meant to remove any critical subjects.
The government’s proposed reforms include a skills assessment exam in grade 9, as well as the introduction of a school-based assessment system. Additionally, the reforms aim to ensure that students are proficient in their mother tongue, English, and a second national language, either Tamil or Sinhala, depending on the student’s ethnicity.
