Sri Lanka has begun the admission of schoolchildren to Grade One for the 2026 academic year, with the process officially getting underway on January 29. The milestone marks the beginning of formal schooling for thousands of children across the country and comes at a time of significant change within the national education system.
The Ministry of Education confirmed that a new Grade One curriculum will be implemented starting this year as part of broader education reforms. These changes are aimed at modernizing early education and laying a stronger foundation for learning in the years ahead, reflecting the government’s effort to adapt the school system to evolving social and economic needs.
A national ceremony to mark the commencement of Grade One admissions is scheduled to take place this morning at Gunasekara Vidyalaya in Athurugiriya. The event will be held under the patronage of the Minister of Education and Prime Minister, Dr. Harini Amarasuriya, underscoring the political significance attached to the reforms and the emphasis placed on early education at the highest levels of government.
Speaking on the occasion, Dr. Amarasuriya stated that the government’s objective is to ensure access to quality education as part of its broader vision of building a prosperous country. She emphasized that strengthening education from the earliest stages is central to long-term national development, as Sri Lanka seeks to equip future generations with the skills and knowledge needed to thrive in an increasingly complex global environment.
