Sri Lankan Politics & Education System

Introduction

Sri Lanka has a proud history of valuing education. Yet in recent years, political turbulence and short‑term policy swings have left our schools underfunded, over‑crowded, and misaligned with real‑world needs. Today, education is not much. In this post, I’ll unpack the key issues—and share my own perspective on what must change.

1. Political Instability & Curriculum Chaos

Every election cycle brings new promises—for a better exam system, reformed syllabi, or cutting‑edge textbooks. But when governments change, so do curricula:

• Math & Science Syllabi Flips: Students learn one exam format for a year, then must relearn fresh content the next. This wastes precious classroom time.
• History & Civics Revisions: Political parties “rewrite” national narratives to suit their ideologies, confusing both teachers and pupils.
• My Take: We need a bipartisan Curriculum Stability Commission that locks in core frameworks for at least 5–7 years, insulating learning from electoral politics.

2. Chronic Under‑Funding

Despite constitutional guarantees, our education budget often gets held hostage by political bargaining:

• Delayed Allocations: School building repairs, lab equipment and resource grants routinely arrive months late.
• Maintenance Neglect: Leaky roofs, broken desks, and computer lab shutdowns are common news.
• My Take: A fixed “Education Minimum Spend” of at least 6% of GDP, enforced by law, would ensure reliable financing—no matter who’s in power.

3. Rural–Urban Divide

Populist ministers target swing districts with flashy new “model schools,” while remote villages languish:

• Resource Hoarding: Urban schools enjoy smart boards and scholarships—rural ones scrape by with chalk and slates.
• Teacher Postings: High‑performing educators avoid hardship postings, leaving hinterlands understaffed.
• My Take: Introduce a Rural Teaching Incentive: tax breaks, housing support, and career fast‑tracking to draw talent where it’s needed most.

4. Teacher Morale & Brain Drain

Low salaries, political interference in appointments, and frequent transfers sap teacher enthusiasm:

• Frozen Pay Scales: Teachers’ wages haven’t kept pace with inflation, pushing many abroad.
• Political Posting: Appointments based on party loyalty rather than merit leave classrooms with underqualified staff.
• My Take: Establish an Independent Teachers’ Board to oversee postings and career progression, free from political meddling.

5. Students at the Frontline

Our children bear the brunt of this dysfunction:

• Exam Stress: Constant syllabus changes and rote‑learning focus lead to burnout rather than genuine understanding.
• Lack of Life Skills: Critical thinking, digital literacy, and creativity are sidelined for “passing the test.”
• My Take: Shift from exam‑centric models to project‑based learning in senior grades, with portfolios and community projects replacing one‑off high‑stakes tests.

My Personal Opinion

I’ve seen the flaws in the system firsthand. Growing up in Sri Lanka, I witnessed the constant shifting of policies and the crumbling infrastructure in rural schools. Teachers were often overworked, underpaid, and most importantly, disillusioned. Despite all this, some teachers still managed to inspire a generation—but we can't expect this level of resilience to last forever.

Today, education is not much. In my opinion, the real issue lies not in the lack of effort but in the inability of our political system to commit to long-term, non-partisan reforms. It’s time we stopped using our children’s education as a pawn for political leverage.

We need a comprehensive, non-partisan educational reform that focuses on:

1. Stability and Consistency – Curriculum and syllabus reforms should not change with every election.
2. Sufficient Funding – Political parties must prioritize long-term investment in schools, especially rural ones.
3. Teacher Welfare – Teachers must be supported, not just in pay, but also in career growth, job security, and respect.
4. Focus on Skills Development – Prepare students for the future by emphasizing critical thinking, creativity, and practical life skills, rather than rote memorization.

I firmly believe that education in Sri Lanka can be great, but only if we make education a priority over political maneuvering. If we don’t take action now, we risk further disadvantaging an entire generation.

“Today, education is not much—but with bold, non‑partisan action, we can revive our schools and empower every Sri Lankan child.”

— Posted on 2025‑05‑02