School Hours to be Extended by 30 Minutes: PM Harini Amarasuriya Defends 2026 Reforms
By Lions Roar News Education Desk
BATTARAMULLA, SRI LANKA (December 29, 2025) – Prime Minister and Minister of Education, Dr. Harini Amarasuriya, has confirmed that school hours will be extended by 30 minutes starting in 2026. The decision, described as a collective move by the National Institute of Education (NIE), the National Education Commission, and the Ministry of Education, aims to facilitate a more practical and student-centered learning environment.
The Prime Minister made these remarks during a crucial meeting held today at “Isurupaya” with representatives of the Teacher-Principal Trade Union Alliance to address mounting concerns regarding the upcoming education overhaul.
⏳ Why the Extra 30 Minutes?
The extension is a core component of the 2026 Education Reforms, which transition from a “rote learning” model to a “competency-based” model.
The New Classroom Structure:
- 50-Minute Periods: Standard lesson periods will be increased to 50 minutes (up from the current 40 minutes). This change is designed to give teachers enough time for both theoretical teaching and hands-on practical activities.
- Reduced Subject Load: To balance the longer periods, the total number of subjects per day will be reduced to seven.
- In-Class Assessment: The Prime Minister emphasized that the extra time is vital for teachers to conduct real-time student evaluations and group activities without the “rush” of the current schedule.
“This is not just about adding time to the clock,” Dr. Amarasuriya stated. “It is about ensuring that a teacher has the space to guide a student through a practical activity and evaluate their progress within the classroom itself.”
🤝 Trade Union Concerns and Review
During the meeting, trade union members raised several logistical and professional challenges posed by the time extension, including the impact on student fatigue and teacher workloads.
Following a heated but constructive dialogue, the Prime Minister assured the unions that the government is open to feedback. She pledged that the Ministry would review the proposals submitted by the unions and conduct a reassessment of the implementation strategy to ensure it does not place an undue burden on the school community.
⛈️ Recovery for Disaster-Affected Schools
The discussion also touched upon the urgent need to rehabilitate schools damaged by the devastating Cyclone Ditwah in late 2024. The Prime Minister noted that reconstruction is a priority, with the government utilizing a $450 million support package from India to restore educational infrastructure and ensure that students in affected areas do not fall behind.
The 2026 reforms are set to begin with Grade 01 and Grade 06 in January 2026, gradually expanding to other grades in subsequent years.
