President Anura Kumara Dissanayake emphasized that the proposed education reform goes beyond mere curriculum changes, aiming to transform Sri Lanka’s economic structure and uplift society as a whole.
Addressing Parliament on July 24 during the education reform debate, the President stressed that the initiative is a national, social objective—not a political project—and called for cross-party support.
The President stated that no child should leave school before completing 13 years of compulsory education, highlighting the government’s responsibility to provide equal educational opportunities for all.
He revealed alarming dropout rates, noting that nearly 47,000 students who enrolled in school in 2011 failed to sit for the GCE Ordinary Level exam in 2021.
The President proposed that if a child is absent from school for three consecutive days, a state official should investigate the circumstances to prevent early school dropouts.
He drew a strong connection between education, poverty, and crime, stating that 80% of imprisoned individuals and 70% of drug users had not completed basic education.
From an economic standpoint, the President underscored that Sri Lanka’s greatest resource is its human capital, urging a shift from low-skilled global labor markets to professional-level participation.
He pointed out structural inefficiencies in the school system, including over 1,500 schools with fewer than 50 students and more than 3,000 schools with under 100 students.
The President proposed consolidating underutilized schools, improving access to quality education through transport facilities and better infrastructure in more viable institutions.
He highlighted that many schools with impressive buildings and theaters still lack meaningful educational outcomes, suggesting that resources are often misallocated.
The average student-teacher ratio in Sri Lanka is 1:18, but some small schools have ratios as low as 1:5, showing inefficient deployment of teaching staff.
He criticized the politicization of provincial schools, stating that political interference had compromised teacher performance and disadvantaged students.
The perception that national schools offer better quality than provincial ones must be addressed, according to the President, who called for fair and equitable development across all types of schools.
He acknowledged the lack of skilled professionals in the public sector, warning that Sri Lanka faces a critical human resource gap that can only be filled through education reform.
In conclusion, the President urged all political parties and sectors of society to unite behind education reform, insisting it is essential for Sri Lanka’s long-term social and economic development.
