The Hon. (Dr.) Harini Amarasuriya

¶ 01 Hon. Speaker, the answer is as follows:

¶ 02 (a) (i) At present, in all schools, Sinhala is taught as a second language to Tamil-medium students and Tamil is taught as a second language to Sinhala-medium students from Grade 6 to Grade 9. In addition, at Grades 10 and 11, under the Subject Streams, students have the option of selecting Sinhala as Second Language for Tamil-medium students, and Tamil as Second Language for Sinhala-medium students. (ii) In 2026, curriculum reform will commence from Grade 6, and subsequently be implemented in the following years for other grades. Under this, the above approach will be operationalized. (iii) As at 31.12.2024, vacancies exist as follows at National and Provincial levels: - Second Language Sinhala: 820 - Second Language Tamil: 2,099 (iv) National Diploma holders in Education will be recruited for teaching Sinhala in Tamil-medium schools and Tamil in Sinhala-medium schools. Appointments have been given, effective from 02.05.2025, to the Sri Lanka Teachers’ Service Grade 3-1(a) for the 2020-2022 batch of National Diploma holders in Education. Accordingly, 95 teachers (Second Language Sinhala) have been recruited for Sinhala teaching in Tamil-medium schools, and 69 teachers (Second Language Tamil) for Tamil teaching in Sinhala-medium schools. Further, based on policy decisions to be taken regarding required adjustments to the intake of trainees by the National Colleges of Education, the number of students recruited can be determined, enabling filling of teacher vacancies in the future.

¶ 03 (b) Not applicable.