Permission for school tours again – Ministry of Education
Ministry of Education Lifts Suspension on School Excursions for Second and Third Terms 2026
The Ministry of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education of Sri Lanka has officially announced the resumption of school educational tours for the second and third terms of 2026. The announcement was made via an official circular dated 3 July 2026 (Ref: ED/09/12/06/05/01–2026), signed by Ministry Secretary Nalaka Kaluwewa. The temporary suspension of school excursions, which had been imposed on 17 March 2026 due to global fuel and energy management concerns, has now been lifted under strict conditions. All schools must keep excursion costs at a minimum, prioritize Grades 5, 11 and 13 when planning tours, and must not organize trips for all grades simultaneously. School principals, sectional heads and provincial and regional education directors have been instructed to ensure full compliance with these new guidelines for the remainder of the 2026 academic year.
Keywords: school educational tours 2026 Sri Lanka, Ministry of Education circular July 2026, school excursions resumed Sri Lanka, ED/09/12/06/05/01 2026, school trips guidelines Sri Lanka
OG Title: School Educational Tours Resumed for Terms 2 & 3 of 2026 | teachmore.lk
OG Description: Ministry of Education lifts suspension on school educational tours for Terms 2 & 3 of 2026 under strict conditions. Circular dated 3 July 2026.
OG Type: article
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📢 Official Circular – 03 July 2026
Permission for school tours again – Ministry of Education
The Ministry of Education has officially lifted the temporary suspension on school excursions — subject to strict conditions covering costs, priority grades and scheduling.
📄 Ref: ED/09/12/06/05/01–2026
🗓️ 03 July 2026
🏫 All Govt. & Approved Private Schools
✅ Suspension Lifted
✅ School Educational Tours are Officially Resumed for Terms 2 & 3 of 2026 — Under Mandatory Guidelines
📋 Circular Details
📄 Circular Reference
ED/09/12/06/05/01–2026
🗓️ Date Issued
03 July 2026
✍️ Signed By
Nalaka Kaluwewa
Secretary to the Ministry of Education
🏫 Applicable Schools
Government & Government-Approved Private Schools
📌 3 Mandatory Guidelines for All Schools
💰
Cost-Effective Planning
All excursions must be meticulously organized to keep expenses at an absolute minimum for students and parents, given high fuel prices.
🎓
Priority for Exam Years
Schools must prioritize Grades 5, 11 and 13 — the milestone examination batches — when planning tours.
🚫
No Mass School Trips
Schools are strictly prohibited from organizing field trips for all grade levels simultaneously. Outings must be staggered.
👥 Who Must Comply
- 🏫 School Principals of all government and government-approved private schools
- 📋 Sectional heads responsible for tour and activity planning
- 🏛️ Provincial and Regional Education Directors
🕐 Background & Timeline
17 March 2026
Ministry of Education issues a directive temporarily suspending all school educational tours as a measure to manage energy use and protect daily academic workflows during the global fuel crisis.
03 July 2026
Ministry Secretary Nalaka Kaluwewa signs Circular ED/09/12/06/05/01–2026, officially lifting the suspension and permitting school excursions for the second and third terms of 2026 under strict conditions.
⚠️
Important Notice to Schools
This relaxation applies strictly to the remaining terms of the 2026 academic year. All three mandatory guidelines must be fully observed. Non-compliance may result in disciplinary action as directed by the Ministry of Education.
📌 Source: Ministry of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education, Sri Lanka. Official Circular Ref: ED/09/12/06/05/01–2026, dated 03 July 2026. Published on teachmore.lk for educational reference purposes.
