Hon. Mujibur Rahuman

¶ 01 Hon. Deputy Speaker, we support education reforms. Statutorily, curriculum revisions should occur about every eight years; a 2023 cycle failed due to the situation then. The new Government advanced reforms. The Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) supports knowledge-based, technology-integrated, student-centred education.

¶ 02 However, the President himself has postponed the Grade 6 implementation to 2027 citing three issues: - Content issues in modules (e.g., an inappropriate website in Grade 6 English; non-functioning QR codes; private web links) - Delays in teacher training; teachers’ guides not printed; 43,000 teacher vacancies; training done only for the first term - Technical constraints: smart boards, devices and internet access lacking, especially in disadvantaged schools

¶ 03 Parents are being asked to fund smart boards. Many schools lack devices, connectivity, and digital classrooms. The Prime Minister said equipment would arrive in March; how will children learn in Term 1?

¶ 04 We warned that proceeding without resolving basics would exacerbate inequity. Also, Rs. 5,000 million have already been spent; accountability is needed. The Auditor General’s 2025.11.04 report to the National Institute of Education highlighted, inter alia, that the reform roadmap due in March 2025 was still not finalized by September 25, 2025.

¶ 05 Personnel actions appear selective: senior officials sent on compulsory leave while others responsible are protected. If the Government wants debates on the Minister, hold them when the Prime Minister/Education Minister is present.

¶ 06 Note too that Leader of the Opposition Sajith Premadasa provided about 386 smart classrooms while in Opposition — those facilities would have supported Grade 6 implementation. The Government should plan properly, equip schools equitably, and then roll out modules.