The number of students dropping out before completing 13 years of education is on the rise, according to the Education Ministry’s Progress Report for 2025.

The report attributes the increase in dropouts to multiple factors, including disparities in the distribution of human and physical resources, which have contributed to a breakdown of parental trust in the system.

Despite government initiatives aimed at reducing economic barriers, such as the provision of free textbooks, uniforms, school meals, and insurance, many families continue to face significant financial burdens, the report said.

Although Sri Lanka maintains a free education policy from the first year of schooling through to the first university degree, the ministry notes that parents still spend a considerable portion of their income on education-related expenses.

This has further strained household budgets and may be influencing school attendance and completion rates.

The report also points to an irregular school calendar, caused by past national disruptions, which has affected the timely administration of examinations and the overall learning process. Education authorities are working to stabilize academic schedules and fill staffing gaps through targeted recruitments, the report said.

In addition to structural and financial issues, the report highlights broader systemic concerns. These include criticism over the education system’s failure to produce “quality citizens” and a growing mismatch between academic outcomes and labor market needs in key economic sectors such as agriculture, industry, and services.

The ministry states that efforts are ongoing to normalize operations, restore public confidence, and align educational offerings with national development goals.