The Education Ministry plans to reduce classroom sizes to between 25 and 30 students to improve the quality of education, according to Prime Minister and Education Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya.
She stated that effective teaching and learning are not possible in overcrowded classrooms of 50 to 60 students.
Dr. Amarasuriya made these remarks during an awareness program held at the Dakshinapaya Auditorium in Galle for Southern Province education officials.
She emphasized that the ongoing education reforms go beyond curriculum changes and also aim to enhance teacher professionalism, administrative structures, and infrastructure.
“This is not a reform for personal or political gain—it is a national responsibility,” she said, noting that the proposals were based on expert and stakeholder consultations before her administration took office.
The Minister acknowledged that while the reform process has faced challenges and criticism—some of it politically motivated—it must move forward in response to the public mandate.
She highlighted that the curricula of teacher training colleges have not been updated for 16 years, contributing to gaps in teacher development.
To address this, the government will begin training teacher trainers in August to improve the quality of teacher education nationwide.
The initiative is part of a broader national strategy to reform the education system in line with long-term development goals.
