The Ministry of Education has officially announced that academic activities for students entering Grade 1 in 2026 will formally commence on Thursday, January 29, 2026.
The directive, issued via circular ED/16/01/05/01, applies to all government schools, government-aided schools, and non-aided private schools across the island. The Ministry has instructed school heads to ensure all selected students are officially enrolled before this start date.
New Primary Education Reforms
The 2026 academic year marks a significant shift as the government rolls out the first phase of its Primary Education Reforms. These reforms focus on moving away from traditional “teacher-centered” rote learning toward a more “student-engaged” practical approach.
Key highlights of the commencement program include:
- Official Welcome: New students will be formally welcomed by Grade 2 students in a ceremony featuring national and school anthems.
- Parental Orientation: Schools are mandated to conduct awareness sessions for parents regarding the objectives of the new curriculum and the reform process.
- Engagement Activities: A “Child Identification and School Readiness Program” will be conducted in two phases to ease the transition for young learners:
- Phase 1: January 5 to January 9, 2026.
- Phase 2: January 21, 22, 23, 26, and 27, 2026.
| Guideline in Sinhala | Click Here |
| Guideline in Tamil | Click Here |
