Cabinet Spokesperson Minister Nalinda Jayatissa said the Cabinet has decided to implement proposed education reforms for Grade 6 starting in 2027, instead of 2026, following recent controversy over content in the Grade 6 English module.

He said the decision was based on the findings of a Criminal Investigation Department (CID) probe into the inclusion of an inappropriate web link in the module, as well as a separate Education Ministry investigation and consultations with education officials led by the president.

The Cabinet has decided to allow additional time to further review the English curriculum and address concerns raised over its content and implementation. The existing Grade 1 module will continue without any changes, he said.

“The government clearly believes that education reform cannot go forward without minimum public confidence,” Jayatissa said at the weekly Cabinet media briefing.

He noted the heightened public concern over the matter only reflects the value placed on education by citizens, which the government acknowledges and appreciates.

Jayatissa also criticized previous governments, stating that years of mismanagement had led to serious issues in the education sector, including a lack of syllabus updates for over a decade and major gaps in human resource planning and recruitment.

He added that public debate on the pressure placed on children by the education system played a role in the current government’s reform mandate, which it remains committed to implementing responsibly.