MP Dilith Jayaweera raised concerns in Parliament yesterday (20) over the removal of a long-used handwriting practice book for young children under newly proposed education reforms, calling for a comprehensive review of the entire reform process.

He said the decision to discontinue the so-called “Pas rule” book, used by Grade 1 and Grade 2 students to practice letter writing, could negatively affect early learning, particularly the development of Sinhala writing skills.

‎Adding that the book has been used for decades and was part of the curriculum during his own school years, he said under the proposed reforms, the book has been replaced with a newly printed alternative that offers limited space for writing and that students are not allowed to take the new book home, reducing opportunities for practice outside the classroom.

‎‎MP Jayaweera said it was not enough for the government to withdraw only the proposed Grade 6 education reform. He urged authorities to reevaluate the entire education reform process, warning that flawed policies could result in the waste of billions of rupees.