The Hon. (Dr.) Harini Amarasuriya - Prime Minister and Minister of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education

¶ 01 Hon. Speaker, the Answer to the Question raised by the Hon. Sivagnanam Shritharan is as follows:

¶ 02 1. We intend to initiate the education curriculum reforms for Grades 1 and 6 in January, 2026. Subsequently, each year we will introduce the reforms progressively to the next grades. The complete document on the reforms will be submitted very soon to the Cabinet for approval and, prior to that, to the Ministerial Consultative Committee on Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education and the Subcommittee on Education Reforms, of which the Hon. Member is also a Member. The reforms emphasize inclusivity and the acknowledgement of the plurality within our society; these will be reflected throughout the proposed curriculum.

¶ 03 2. Yes. There are Tamil-speaking members in all committees appointed by the National Institute of Education (NIE).

¶ 04 3. We are able to submit the names of those involved in drafting the concept paper as well as those engaged in the curriculum reform process.

¶ 05 4. The Hon. Member has requested the names of the Tamil-speaking members involved. There are over 100 individuals involved in the process. I received this Question yesterday, so I need a little more time to provide the names as they are still being collated. Implementation of the curriculum reforms is under the purview of officials of the Ministry of Education whom we have appointed, and there are Tamil-speaking members involved. If the Hon. Member requires, I will submit the names to him.

¶ 06 Thank you.