The Education Ministry has introduced a revised system that allows teachers to admit their children to the schools where they are employed after completing one year of service, Deputy Minister Madura Seneviratne announced.

Under the previous policy, teachers serving in national schools were able to enroll their children after three years of service, often without consideration of available vacancies. This practice, according to the Deputy Minister, led to overcrowding, with some classrooms accommodating 55–60 students.

The new circular aims to streamline the process by linking admissions to the availability of vacancies in schools. The Deputy Minister noted that the Supreme Court has set the maximum number of students at 40 for primary grades and 45 for grades six and above, but these limits have frequently been exceeded due to irregular admissions.

He further explained that such overcrowding poses challenges for implementing educational reforms and has led to additional demands from professional groups seeking exemptions. Previously, seven categories of professionals were permitted to admit children regardless of classroom limits.

Concerns have also been raised regarding teacher transfers, with some teachers deliberately avoiding transfers in order to secure school placements for their children in popular institutions. As a result, transfers are being carried out inconsistently, while requests for admissions, particularly to Grade 2, continue to increase from university professors and ministry staff.