Education Secretary's Latest Announcement: Schools to Reopen, Exams Rescheduled Post-Disaster (Dec. 09)

 Mr. Nalaka Kaluwewa, Secretary to the Ministry of Education, Higher Education, and Vocational Education, today (09) issued a special clarification to the media regarding the reopening of schools and the conduct of examinations, managing the disruptions caused to the school system due to the adverse weather conditions that affected the island.

After reviewing the current situation across all provinces of the island, the Secretary stated that academic activities in 9,929 schools, out of a total of 10,076 schools in the country, are planned to resume as usual on December 16th.

He pointed out that 147 schools are currently unable to reopen due to the impact of the disaster,

and added that if any changes occur in these statistics based on confirmations received at the provincial level in the future, steps would be taken to officially inform the public.

Before schools open for students on December 16th, all principals, teachers, and non-academic staff must report to duty on December 15th, and he emphasized that a relaxed policy regarding attire would be adopted for children and staff in disaster-affected areas.

The second phase of the third school term for the year 2025 will operate from December 16th to December 22nd, and it has been decided that schools will be held from December 29th to 31st after the Christmas holiday, and for Muslim schools, until January 02, 2026.

The Secretary stated that examination activities for the remaining subjects of the G.C.E. Advanced Level examination, which were halted due to adverse weather, will resume on January 12, 2026, and further details regarding this will be announced by the Commissioner General of Examinations.


Furthermore, as a special decision, although 9,926 schools will reopen from December 16th, the Ministry of Education has decided to cancel the third term examination for all schools. Instead, a mock examination will be held in the coming year, and all students from Grade 6 upwards in all schools will be promoted to the next grade without an examination.

Furthermore, Mr. Nalaka Kaluwewa further stated that the new school term for the year 2026 is scheduled to commence on January 05, and arrangements have been made to hold the G.C.E. Ordinary Level examination in February as previously planned.