Colombo, Jan 2: Sri Lanka’s Ministry of Education has decided to retain existing school hours throughout 2026, citing damage to educational facilities and disruptions to transport networks caused by recent disasters in several parts of the country.
Under the decision, students in Grades 5 to 13 will continue attending school from 7:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., with no extension to the daily timetable until affected infrastructure and transport services are fully restored, education officials said.
The first academic term for government schools, state-approved private institutions and Pirivenas is scheduled to begin on January 5, 2026. For Grades 6 to 13, the school day will consist of seven instructional periods, each lasting 45 minutes.
As part of the ongoing education reform programme, new curricular changes will be introduced for Grade 1 and Grade 6 students during the year. Formal instruction for Grade 6 under the revised framework will commence on January 21, while Grade 1 students will undergo an identification and orientation process from early January, with classroom learning starting later in the month.
The Ministry confirmed that learning materials required for the reformed grades have already been distributed, and textbook supplies for other grades are complete.
Meanwhile, the remaining sittings of the 2025 General Certificate of Education Advanced Level examination are set to take place between January 12 and January 20, 2026.
Education authorities said a comprehensive circular detailing the academic calendar and operational guidelines will be issued on January 2, providing further clarity to schools and parents.
