The Ministry of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education has issued Circular No. 44/2025 regarding the duty hours of non-academic staff employed in National Schools, National Colleges of Education, Teacher Training Colleges, and Teacher Development Centers.
This important circular, which comes into effect from 1st June 2026, provides clear guidelines on working hours for various categories of non-academic employees. It replaces and updates previous provisions under Public Administration Circulars 9/2006, 27/2013, 08/2014, and 29/2017.
Who Does Circular 44/2025 Apply To?
This circular applies to all non-academic staff in institutions functioning under the Ministry of Education:
- National Schools
- National Colleges of Education
- Teacher Training Colleges
- Teacher Development Centers
Duty Hours Summary – At a Glance
1. Secondary Level Officers (7 Hours 45 Minutes per day)
- Development Officers’ Service
- Sri Lanka Information & Communication Technology Service
- Sri Lanka Librarians’ Service
- Management Service Officers’ Service
- Associated Officers (Development Assistant, Planning & Financial Assistant, Management Assistant)
- Management Assistant (Non-technical) Category II
2. Junior Staff (8 Hours 45 Minutes per day)
- Office Employees’ Service (K.K.S)
- Primary Non-Skilled Service Category (Work Aide, Service Aide – Sanitation, Laboratory Aide, Technology Faculty Aide, Library Aide, School Security)
Official Duty Hours Table – National Schools, Colleges & Training Centers
Development Officer, ICT Assistant, Management Service Officer & Associated Officers
| Institution | Duty Hours | Total Hours |
|---|---|---|
| National Schools | 7.30 a.m. – 3.15 p.m. | 7 hrs 45 mins |
| National Colleges of Education | 8.30 a.m. – 4.15 p.m. | 7 hrs 45 mins |
| Teacher Training Colleges | 8.30 a.m. – 4.15 p.m. | 7 hrs 45 mins |
| Teacher Development Centers | 8.30 a.m. – 4.15 p.m. | 7 hrs 45 mins |
Government Librarian
| Institution | Duty Hours | Total Hours |
|---|---|---|
| National Schools | 7.30 a.m. – 3.15 p.m. | 7 hrs 45 mins |
| National Colleges of Education | 8.00 a.m. – 3.45 p.m. | 7 hrs 45 mins |
| Teacher Training Colleges | 8.00 a.m. – 3.45 p.m. | 7 hrs 45 mins |
Office Employee (K.K.S)
| Institution | Duty Hours | Total Hours |
|---|---|---|
| National Colleges of Education | 8.00 a.m. – 4.45 p.m. | 8 hrs 45 mins |
| Teacher Training Colleges | 7.45 a.m. – 4.30 p.m. | 8 hrs 45 mins |
Special Category Staff Duty Hours
Document Assistant, Laboratory Assistant & Technological Faculty Assistant Laboratory Aide, Technology Faculty Aide, Library Aide, Service Aide & Work Aide
(Detailed timings available in the full circular table below)
School Security
- 9 hours full-time service
- Head of the institution must prepare a proper roster.
Cook
- 8 hours 45 minutes full-time service
- Institution head to prepare appropriate duty roster.
Driver
- Special arrangement of 45 hours per week (including possible Saturday duty).
Important Highlights of Circular 44/2025
- Effective Date: 1st June 2026 (Monday)
- All duty hours have been arranged to support student studies.
- Residential staff (Student Housekeeper, Assistant Student Housekeeper, Sickroom Attendants) will continue with existing arrangements.
- Previous Public Administration Circulars remain valid where not contradicted.
- Heads of institutions must prepare proper duty rosters according to the circular.
Full Official Duty Hours Table (Circular 44/2025)
(You can embed the exact tables from the PDF here as images or HTML tables for better SEO)
Key Posts & Timings (Condensed):
- Laboratory Assistant (National Schools): 7.15 a.m. – 3.00 p.m.
- School Security: 9 hours full day
- Service Aide – Sanitation & Work Aide: 8 hrs 45 mins
- Cook: 8 hrs 45 mins
What Should Schools Do Now?
- Principals and Heads of Institutions must immediately study Circular 44/2025.
- Prepare new duty rosters before 01.06.2026.
- Inform all non-academic staff about the new working hours.
- Ensure duty arrangements support smooth functioning of academic activities.
Download Official Circular
Circular No: 44/2025 – Duty Hours of Non-Academic Staff Download PDF
Conclusion
The issuance of Ministry of Education Circular 44/2025 brings much-needed clarity to the working hours of non-academic staff across Sri Lanka’s national educational institutions. These changes, effective from June 2026, aim to create better work-life balance while maintaining high service standards in the education sector.
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