President Calls on Teachers’ Unions to Cooperate with New Education Reforms

15-Jan-2026

.

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has called on teachers’ union representatives to work collaboratively with the government on new education reforms, assuring that essential resources such as smartphones, televisions, and computers required for the reforms will be provided through government funding rather than parental contributions.

A meeting between the President, Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya, and representatives of teachers’ unions was held at the Presidential Secretariat on January 13.

Teachers’ union representatives expressed their acceptance of the need for education reforms and emphasized that the Grade 6 curriculum should be revised accordingly. They also conveyed their willingness to cooperate with the government in implementing the reforms.

They proposed that the process be carried out under the supervision of a structured mechanism comprising the National Education Commission, the National Institute of Education, educationists, legal experts, university academics, and teachers’ union representatives.

The President emphasized that the success of education reforms depends on earning the trust of teachers and parents, noting that meaningful change cannot be achieved amid doubt or mistrust. He reiterated his call for unions to actively collaborate with the government.

He further confirmed that the government will fully fund the necessary technological infrastructure required for the reforms.

Several representatives from teachers’ unions attended the meeting, including Ven. Wakamulle Udita Thera, Ven. Yalwela Pannasekara Thera, Joseph Stalin, Thammika Alahapperuma, M.G.P.L. Lal Kumara, and Sisira Rajapaksha.