The Hon. (Dr.) Harini Amarasuriya

¶ 01 Hon. Speaker, the answers are as follows:

¶ 02 1. Total number of NCoEs: 20. 2. Names and courses of each NCoE are provided in the annex, which I table. 3. The most recent intake was based on G.C.E. (A/L) 2022 results, except that the National Institute of Education – Kuliyapitiya (Technology) took its first cohort based on 2023 A/L results. 4. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, NCoEs were used as treatment and quarantine centres and remained closed for an extended period. Practical training was delayed; hostel, canteen and physical resources were damaged/displaced. Repairs and resourcing were required before reopening. To normalize the intake delays, two A/L cohorts were admitted in 2024. Hence, with two cohorts (four A/L years’ worth of study) running in 2025, physical resources were insufficient to admit a new cohort. 5. Therefore, in 2025 it was intended to admit both 2023 and 2024 A/L cohorts simultaneously. As this cohort will be appointed around 2029 when Grades 1–11 curriculum modernization is completed, admissions must align to new curricula. Gazette amendments aligning with new education reforms have caused a short delay in admitting the 2023 A/L cohort. After amending the Gazette and updating the IT system for applications and selection, admissions for 2023 and 2024 A/L cohorts are expected in January/February 2026.

¶ 03 Annex tabled: Lists of NCoEs, current and revised programme titles, and new programmes (including aligning technology and subject streams; e.g., renaming Agriculture and Food Technology to Agricultural Technology; Home Economics to Food and Consumer Technology; Business Studies to Finance; inclusion of Religious and Moral Education subject title changes; and initiation of Vocational Guidance and School Counselling).