“In the Northern Province, we stand in support of the government’s education reform. I am confident that, with our talented youth, dedicated teachers, and the unwavering determination of our people, the Northern Province will emerge as a model of success in this new chapter of Sri Lanka’s education journey,” stated the Honorable Governor of the Northern Province, N.Vethanayahan
A provincial-level discussion on the new education reform, scheduled for implementation in 2026, was held this Saturday evening (02 August 2025) at the Northern Province Chief Secretary’s Office Auditorium. The meeting was chaired by the Prime Minister and Minister of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education, Dr. Harini Amarasuriya
Speaking at the event, the Governor said: ‘I warmly welcome you to our proud and resilient region. Your message of national unity, equal opportunity, and your unwavering commitment to building a future where no student, no school, and no province is left behind is truly inspiring
Today, we commend your visionary leadership in advancing a bold education reform agenda that brings renewed hope to the students of the Northern Province and all Sri Lankans.
Reshaping the education system with integrated academic and career pathways is essential to ensuring that every student has the opportunity to complete their education and pursue the future they aspire to. Introducing more flexible assessment systems that strike a balance between school-based assessments and examination scores will help reduce undue competition and alleviate stress among students.
Provinces with significant educational disparities, such as the Northern Province, stand to benefit greatly from the integration of digital technologies in education
“We are deeply grateful for these reforms. They are more than just policy changes — they represent hope for communities that have long awaited justice, inclusion, and equitable development,” he said.
Speaking here, Prime Minister, I would like to begin by thanking the Governor of the Northern Province and his administration for organizing this important discussion.
I don’t need to emphasize the importance of education to you, because you have valued it even in times of hardship. The Northern Province has faced setbacks in the results of the GCE O/L Examination, and we must carefully consider the reasons behind this.
The current education system does not appear to be equitable for all, placing significant financial burdens on parents. An overemphasis on examination-based education has also caused stress and paralysis among students. Therefore, this essential education reform will be implemented in phases, beginning with grades one and six in 2026
The Northern Province consists of five districts, yet many prefer to work in Jaffna city. The Prime Minister emphasized in her speech that priority should be given to other districts, particularly schools in border areas
This was followed by a discussion on education reform, attended by Hon. Minister R. Chandrasekhar, Hon. Member of Parliament K. Ilankumaran, Secretary to the Ministry of Primary Education Nalaka Kaluwewa, Northern Provincial Chief Secretary Mrs. Thanuja Murugesan, Secretary to the Ministry of Primary Education M. Patrick Diranjan, Provincial Director of Education, Additional Provincial Director of Education, Assistant Directors of Education, Zonal Directors of Education, Education Administrative Service Officers, school principals, and many others.
